Herbicidally active 4-(4-trifluormethyl-6-cycloropylpyrazolyl)pyrimidines

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to 4-(4-trifluormethyl-6-cycloropylpyrazolyl)pyrimidines of general formula (I) and to their agrochemically acceptable salts, and to the use thereof in the field of plant protection.

The invention relates to the technical field of the herbicides, especially that of the herbicides from the group of the heteroaryl-pyrazoles for selective control of weeds and weed grasses in crops of useful plants.

From a variety of publications it is already known that certain pyrimidines substituted by azole radicals, such as pyrazolyl, imidazolyl and triazolyl, possess herbicidal properties. In particular, herbicidally active 4-(4-trifluoromethyl)pyrimidines are known from WO 2005/089551 A1.

The herbicidal activity of these known compounds, in particular at low application rates, and/or their compatibility with crop plants remain in need of improvement.

For the reasons stated, there is still a need for potent herbicides and/or plant growth regulators for the selective use in crop plants or the use on non-crop land, where these active ingredients preferably should have further advantageous properties in application, for example an improved compatibility with crop plants.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide compounds having herbicidal activity (herbicides) which are highly effective against economically important harmful plants even at relatively low application rates and can be used selectively in crop plants, preferably with good activity against harmful plants, and at the same time preferably have good compatibility with crop plants. Preferably, these herbicidal compounds should be particularly effective and efficient against a broad spectrum of weed grasses and preferably also have good activity against a large number of weeds.

Surprisingly it has now been found that 4-(4-trifluoromethylpyrazolyl)pyrimidines having a cyclopropyl radical in position 6 of the pyrimidine ring have excellent herbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of economically important mono- and dicotyledonous annual harmful plants.

The present invention therefore provides compounds of the general formula (I)

and the agrochemically acceptable salts thereof, in which the symbols and indices have the meanings below:

-   X represents a radical from the group X1 to X4:

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, formyl, vinyl,     (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, -   R² represents hydrogen, halogen, methyl or methoxy, -   R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, methyl or methoxy, -   R⁴ represents halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl,     (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or (C₃-C₅)-cycloalkyl, -   R⁵ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,     halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, -   R⁶ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl.

Alkyl means saturated straight-chain or branched hydrocarbyl radicals having the number of carbon atoms specified in each case, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and 1,1-dimethylethyl.

Halogen-substituted alkyl means straight-chain or branched alkyl groups where some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these groups may be replaced by halogen atoms, e.g. C₁-C₂-haloalkyl such as chloromethyl, bromomethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, 1-chloroethyl, 1-bromoethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2-difluoroethyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, pentafluoroethyl and 1,1,1-trifluoroprop-2-yl.

Cycloalkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl or cyclopentyl.

Alkoxy means saturated straight-chain or branched alkoxy radicals having the number of carbon atoms specified in each case, for example C₁-C₄-alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy, 1,1-dimethylethoxy, 1-methylbutoxy, 2-methylbutoxy or 3-methylbutoxy. Halogen-substituted alkoxy means straight-chain or branched alkoxy radicals having the number of carbon atoms specified in each case, where some or all of the hydrogen atoms in these groups may be replaced by halogen atoms as specified above, e.g. C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy such as chloromethoxy, bromomethoxy, dichloromethoxy, trichloromethoxy, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorofluoromethoxy, dichlorofluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, 1-chloroethoxy, 1-bromoethoxy, 1-fluoroethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloro-1,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy, pentafluoroethoxy and 1,1,1-trifluoroprop-2-oxy.

The term “halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. If the term is used for a radical, “halogen” means a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom.

According to the nature of the substituents and the way in which they are joined, the compounds of the formula (I) may be present as stereoisomers. If, for example, one or more asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms are present, enantiomers and diastereomers may occur. Stereoisomers can be obtained from the mixtures obtained in the preparation by customary separation methods, for example by chromatographic separation processes. It is likewise possible to selectively prepare stereoisomers by using stereoselective reactions with use of optically active starting materials and/or auxiliaries.

The invention also relates to all stereoisomers and mixtures thereof which are encompassed by the formula (I) but not defined specifically. However, the following text will, for the sake of simplicity, always mention compounds of the formula (I), even though this is understood as meaning not only the pure compounds, but also, if appropriate, mixtures with various amounts of isomeric compounds.

According to the nature of the substituents defined above, the compounds of the formula (I) have acidic properties and can form salts, and if appropriate also internal salts or adducts with inorganic or organic bases or with metal ions. If the compounds of the formula (I) carry hydroxyl, carboxyl or other groups which induce acidic properties, these compounds can be reacted with bases to give salts. Suitable bases are, for example, hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, in particular those of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, furthermore ammonia, primary, secondary and tertiary amines having (C₁-C₄)-alkyl groups, mono-, di- and trialkanolamines of (C₁-C₄)-alkanols, choline and chlorocholine, and also organic amines such as trialkylamines, morpholine, piperidine or pyridine. These salts are compounds in which the acidic hydrogen is replaced by an agriculturally suitable cation, for example metal salts, especially alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts, in particular sodium and potassium salts, or else ammonium salts, salts with organic amines or quaternary ammonium salts, for example with cations of the formula [NRR′R″R″′]⁺ in which R to R″′ each independently of one another represent an organic radical, in particular alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkylaryl. Also suitable are alkylsulfonium and alkylsulfoxonium salts, such as (C₁-C₄)-trialkylsulfonium and (C₁-C₄)-trialkylsulfoxonium salts.

The compounds of the formula (I) can form salts by addition of a suitable inorganic or organic acid, for example mineral acids, for example HCl, HBr, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄ or HNO₃, or organic acids, for example carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid or sulfonic acids, for example p-toluenesulfonic acid, onto a basic group, for example amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, piperidino, morpholino or pyridino. In such a case, these salts comprise the conjugated base of the acid as the anion.

Suitable substituents present in deprotonated form, such as, for example, sulfonic acids or carboxylic acids, may form inner salts with groups which for their part can be protonated, such as amino groups.

If a group is polysubstituted by radicals, this means that this group is substituted by one or more identical or different radicals from those mentioned.

In all the formulae specified hereinafter, the substituents and symbols have the same meaning as described in formula (I), unless defined differently. Arrows in a chemical formula denote the points at which it is joined to the rest of the molecule.

There follows a description of preferred, particularly preferred and very particularly preferred definitions of each of the individual substituents. The other substituents of the general formula (I) which are not specified hereinafter have the definition given above.

Preference is given to compounds of the general formula (1), in which

-   X represents a radical from the group X1 to X4:

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, methoxy     or ethoxy, -   R² represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, -   R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, -   R⁴ represents halogen, cyano, halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl or difluoromethoxy, -   R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl,     halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, methoxy, ethoxy or halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkoxy, -   R⁶ represents methyl or ethyl.

Particularly preference is given to compounds of the general formula (1), in which

-   X represents the radical X1:

-   R¹ represents hydrogen or chlorine, -   R² represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, -   R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, -   R⁴ represents fluorine, chlorine, difluoromethoxy or     trifluoromethyl, -   R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or methyl.

Examples of the compounds of the general formula (I) which are likewise particularly preferred are shown below in tabular form.

TABLE 1 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which X is X1 No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ I-001 H H H CF₃ H I-002 Cl H H CF₃ H I-003 H H H OCHF₂ H I-004 H CH₃ H CF₃ H I-005 H CH₃ H OCHF₂ H

TABLE 2 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which X is X2 No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ II-001 H H H CF₃ H II-002 H H H CF₃ 4-F II-003 H H H OCHF₂ H II-004 H H H OCF₃ H II-005 H H H CHF₂ H II-006 H CH₃ H CF₃ H

TABLE 3 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which X is X3 No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ III-001 H H H CF₃ H CH₃ III-002 Cl H H CF₃ H CH₃ III-003 H CH₃ H CF₃ H CH₃

TABLE 4 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which X is X4 No. R¹ R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ IV-001 H H H CF₃ H IV-002 H CH₃ H CF₃ H

The compounds according to the invention can in principle be prepared by the processes described in WO 2005/089551 A1. The exemplary embodiments described further below illustrate the preparation process of the compounds according to the invention in more detail.

Collections of compounds of the formula (I) and/or salts thereof which can be synthesized by the abovementioned reactions can also be prepared in a parallelized manner, in which case this may be accomplished in a manual, partly automated or fully automated manner. It is possible, for example, to automate the conduct of the reaction, the workup or the purification of the products and/or intermediates. Overall, this is understood to mean a procedure as described, for example, by D. Tiebes in Combinatorial Chemistry—Synthesis, Analysis, Screening (editor: Gunther Jung), Wiley, 1999, on pages 1 to 34.

The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention (and/or salts thereof), referred to collectively as “compounds according to the invention” hereinafter, have excellent herbicidal efficacy against a broad spectrum of economically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous annual harmful plants.

The present invention therefore also provides a method for controlling unwanted plants or for regulating the growth of plants, preferably in plant crops, in which one or more compound(s) of the invention is/are applied to the plants (for example harmful plants such as monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weeds or unwanted crop plants), the seed (for example grains, seeds or vegetative propagules such as tubers or shoot parts with buds) or the area on which the plants grow (for example the area under cultivation). The compounds of the invention can be deployed, for example, prior to sowing (if appropriate also by incorporation into the soil), prior to emergence or after emergence. Specific examples of some representatives of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed flora which can be controlled by the compounds of the invention are as follows, though the enumeration is not intended to impose a restriction to particular species.

Monocotyledonous harmful plants of the genera: Aegilops, Agropyron, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Avena, Brachiaria, Bromus, Cenchrus, Commelina, Cynodon, Cyperus, Dactyloctenium, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleocharis, Eleusine, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Festuca, Fimbristylis, Heteranthera, Imperata, Ischaemum, Leptochloa, Lolium, Monochoria, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Rottboellia, Sagittaria, Scirpus, Setaria, Sorghum.

Dicotyledonous weeds of the genera: Abutilon, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Artemisia, Atriplex, Bellis, Bidens, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Cirsium, Convolvulus, Datura, Desmodium, Emex, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lepidium, Lindernia, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Urtica, Veronica, Viola, Xanthium.

When the compounds according to the invention are applied to the soil surface before germination, either the weed seedlings are prevented completely from emerging or the weeds grow until they have reached the cotyledon stage, but then stop growing.

If the active compounds are applied post-emergence to the green parts of the plants, growth stops after the treatment, and the harmful plants remain at the growth stage at the time of application, or they die completely after a certain time, so that in this manner competition by the weeds, which is harmful to the crop plants, is eliminated very early and in a sustained manner.

The compounds according to the invention can be selective in crops of useful plants and can also be employed as non-selective herbicides.

By virtue of their herbicidal and plant growth regulatory properties, the active compounds can also be used to control harmful plants in crops of genetically modified plants which are known or are yet to be developed. In general, the transgenic plants are characterized by particular advantageous properties, for example by resistances to certain active compounds used in agroindustry, in particular certain herbicides, resistances to plant diseases or pathogens of plant diseases, such as certain insects or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria or viruses. Other specific characteristics relate, for example, to the harvested material with regard to quantity, quality, storability, composition and specific constituents. For instance, there are known transgenic plants with an elevated starch content or altered starch quality, or those with a different fatty acid composition in the harvested material. Further particular properties lie in tolerance or resistance to abiotic stress factors, for example heat, cold, drought, salinity and ultraviolet radiation.

Preference is given to using the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention or salts thereof in economically important transgenic crops of useful and ornamental plants.

The compounds of the formula (I) can be used as herbicides in crops of useful plants which are resistant, or have been made resistant by genetic engineering, to the phytotoxic effects of the herbicides.

Conventional ways of producing novel plants which have modified properties in comparison to existing plants consist, for example, in traditional cultivation methods and the generation of mutants. Alternatively, novel plants with altered properties can be generated with the aid of recombinant methods (see, for example, EP 0221044, EP 0131624). What has been described are, for example, several cases of genetic modifications of crop plants for the purpose of modifying the starch synthesized in the plants (e.g. WO 92/011376 A, WO 92/014827 A, WO 91/019806 A), transgenic crop plants which are resistant to certain herbicides of the glufosinate type (cf., for example, EP 0242236 A, EP 0242246 A) or of the glyphosate type (WO 92/000377A) or of the sulfonylurea type (EP 0257993 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,659) or to combinations or mixtures of these herbicides through “gene stacking”, such as transgenic crop plants, for example corn or soya with the trade name or the designation Optimum™ GAT™ (Glyphosate ALS Tolerant),

-   -   transgenic crop plants, for example cotton, capable of producing         Bacillus thuringiensis toxins (Bt toxins), which make the plants         resistant to particular pests (EP 0142924 A, EP 0193259 A),     -   transgenic crop plants having a modified fatty acid composition         (WO 91/013972 A),     -   genetically modified crop plants having novel constituents or         secondary metabolites, for example novel phytoalexins, which         cause an increase in disease resistance (EP 0309862 A, EP         0464461 A),     -   genetically modified plants having reduced photorespiration,         which have higher yields and higher stress tolerance (EP 0305398         A),     -   transgenic crop plants which produce pharmaceutically or         diagnostically important proteins (“molecular pharming”),     -   transgenic crop plants which feature higher yields or better         quality,     -   transgenic crop plants which are distinguished by a combination,         for example of the abovementioned novel properties (“gene         stacking”).

Numerous molecular biology techniques which can be used to produce novel transgenic plants with modified properties are known in principle; see, for example, I. Potrykus and G. Spangenberg (eds), Gene Transfer to Plants, Springer Lab Manual (1995), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg or Christou, “Trends in Plant Science” 1 (1996) 423-431).

For such genetic manipulations, nucleic acid molecules which allow mutagenesis or sequence alteration by recombination of DNA sequences can be introduced into plasmids. With the aid of standard methods, it is possible, for example, to undertake base exchanges, remove part sequences or add natural or synthetic sequences. To join the DNA fragments with one another, adapters or linkers can be placed onto the fragments, see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; or Winnacker “Gene und Klone” [Genes and Clones], VCH Weinheim 2nd edition 1996.

For example, the generation of plant cells with a reduced activity of a gene product can be achieved by expressing at least one corresponding antisense RNA, a sense RNA for achieving a cosuppression effect, or by expressing at least one suitably constructed ribozyme which specifically cleaves transcripts of the abovementioned gene product. To this end, it is firstly possible to use DNA molecules which encompass the entire coding sequence of a gene product inclusive of any flanking sequences which may be present, and also DNA molecules which only encompass portions of the coding sequence, in which case it is necessary for these portions to be long enough to have an antisense effect in the cells. It is also possible to use DNA sequences which have a high degree of homology to the coding sequences of a gene product, but are not completely identical to them.

When expressing nucleic acid molecules in plants, the protein synthesized may be localized in any desired compartment of the plant cell. However, to achieve localization in a particular compartment, it is possible, for example, to join the coding region to DNA sequences which ensure localization in a particular compartment. Such sequences are known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Braun et al., EMBO J. 11 (1992), 3219-3227; Wolter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85 (1988), 846-850; Sonnewald et al., Plant J. 1 (1991), 95-106). The nucleic acid molecules can also be expressed in the organelles of the plant cells.

The transgenic plant cells can be regenerated by known techniques to give rise to entire plants. In principle, the transgenic plants may be plants of any desired plant species, i.e. not only monocotyledonous but also dicotyledonous plants. Thus, transgenic plants can be obtained whose properties are altered by overexpression, suppression or inhibition of homologous (=natural) genes or gene sequences or expression of heterologous (=foreign) genes or gene sequences.

The compounds (I) according to the invention can be used with preference in transgenic crops which are resistant to growth regulators, for example 2,4-D, dicamba, or to herbicides which inhibit essential plant enzymes, for example acetolactate synthases (ALS), EPSP synthases, glutamine synthases (GS) or hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenases (HPPD), or to herbicides from the group of the sulfonylureas, the glyphosates, glufosinates or benzoylisoxazoles and analogous active compounds, or to any desired combinations of these active compounds.

The compounds of the invention can be used with particular preference in transgenic crop plants which are resistant to a combination of glyphosates and glufosinates, glyphosates and sulfonylureas or imidazolinones. Most preferably, the compounds according to the invention can be used in transgenic crop plants such as corn or soya with the trade name or the designation Optimum™ GAT™ (glyphosate ALS tolerant), for example.

When the active compounds of the invention are employed in transgenic crops, not only do the effects towards harmful plants observed in other crops occur, but frequently also effects which are specific to the application in the particular transgenic crop, for example an altered or specifically widened spectrum of weeds which can be controlled, altered application rates which can be used for the application, preferably good combinability with the herbicides to which the transgenic crop is resistant, and influencing of growth and yield of the transgenic crop plants.

The invention therefore also relates to the use of the compounds according to the invention of the formula (I) as herbicides for controlling harmful plants in transgenic crop plants.

The compounds of the invention can be applied in the form of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, sprayable solutions, dusting products or granules in the customary formulations. The invention therefore also provides herbicidal and plant-growth-regulating compositions which comprise the compounds of the invention.

The compounds of the invention can be formulated in various ways, according to the biological and/or physicochemical parameters required. Possible formulations include, for example: wettable powders (WP), water-soluble powders (SP), water-soluble concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, sprayable solutions, suspension concentrates (SC), dispersions based on oil or water, oil-miscible solutions, capsule suspensions (CS), dusting products (DP), dressings, granules for scattering and soil application, granules (GR) in the form of microgranules, spray granules, absorption and adsorption granules, water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), ULV formulations, microcapsules and waxes. These individual formulation types are known in principle and are described, for example, in: Winnacker-Küchler, “Chemische Technologie [Chemical Technology]”, Volume 7, C. Hanser Verlag Munich, 4th Ed. 1986, Wade van Valkenburg, “Pesticide Formulations”, Marcel Dekker, N.Y., 1973, K. Martens, “Spray Drying” Handbook, 3rd Ed. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd. London.

The formulation auxiliaries required, such as inert materials, surfactants, solvents and further additives, are likewise known and are described, for example, in: Watkins, “Handbook of Insecticide Dust Diluents and Carriers”, 2nd Ed., Darland Books, Caldwell N.J.; H.v. Olphen, “Introduction to Clay Colloid Chemistry”, 2nd ed., J. Wiley & Sons, N.Y.; C. Marsden, “Solvents Guide”, 2nd ed., Interscience, N.Y. 1963; McCutcheon's “Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual”, MC Publ. Corp., Ridgewood N.J.; Sisley and Wood, “Encyclopedia of Surface Active Agents”, Chem. Publ. Co. Inc., N.Y. 1964; Schönfeldt, “Grenzflächenaktive Äthylenoxid-addukte” [Interface-active Ethylene Oxide Adducts], Wiss. Verlagsgesell., Stuttgart 1976; Winnacker-Küchler, “Chemische Technologie”, volume 7, C. Hanser Verlag Munich, 4th Ed. 1986.

On the basis of these formulations, it is also possible to produce combinations with other active compounds, for example insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, and also with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, for example in the form of a finished formulation or as a tank mix. Particularly suitable safeners are mefenpyr-diethyl, cyprosulfamide, isoxadifen-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl, benoxacor and dichlormid.

Active compounds which can be employed in combination with the compounds according to the invention in mixed formulations or in the tank mix are, for example, known active compounds which are based on the inhibition of, for example, acetolactate synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, cellulose synthase, enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, glutamine synthetase, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, phytoene desaturase, photosystem I, photosystem II or protoporphyrinogen oxidase, as are described in, for example, Weed Research 26 (1986) 441-445 or “The Pesticide Manual”, 16th edition, The British Crop Protection Council and the Royal Soc. of Chemistry, 2006 and the literature cited therein. Known herbicides or plant growth regulators which can be combined with the compounds according to the invention are, for example, the following, where said active compounds are designated either with their “common name” in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or with the chemical name or with the code number. They always encompass all of the application forms such as, for example, acids, salts, esters and also all isomeric forms such as stereoisomers and optical isomers, even if they are not explicitly mentioned.

Examples of such herbicidal mixing partners are:

acetochlor, acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, aclonifen, alachlor, allidochlor, alloxydim, alloxydim-sodium, ametryn, amicarbazone, amidochlor, amidosulfuron, 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(7-fluoro-1H-indol-6-yl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminocyclopyrachlor-potassium, aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl, aminopyralid, amitrole, ammonium sulfamate, anilofos, asulam, atrazine, azafenidin, azimsulfuron, beflubutamid, benazolin, benazolin-ethyl, benfluralin, benfuresate, bensulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, bensulide, bentazone, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, bicyclopyron, bifenox, bilanafos, bilanafos-sodium, bispyribac, bispyribac-sodium, bixlozone, bromacil, bromobutide, bromofenoxim, bromoxynil, bromoxynil-butyrate, -potassium, -heptanoate and -octanoate, busoxinone, butachlor, butafenacil, butamifos, butenachlor, butralin, butroxydim, butylate, cafenstrole, carbetamide, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, chloramben, chlorbromuron, 1-{2-chloro-3-[(3-cyclopropyl-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)carbonyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}piperidin-2-one, 4-{2-chloro-3-[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl}-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylate, chlorfenac, chlorfenac-sodium, chlorfenprop, chlorflurenol, chlorflurenol-methyl, chloridazon, chlorimuron, chlorimuron-ethyl, 2-[2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-3-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)benzoyl]-3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one, 4-{2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-3-[(2,2,2-trifluorethoxy)methyl]benzoyl}-1-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylate, chlorophthalim, chlorotoluron, chlorthal-dimethyl, chlorsulfuron, 3-[5-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-1-methylimidazolidin-2-one, cinidon, cinidon-ethyl, cinmethylin, cinosulfuron, clacyfos, clethodim, clodinafop, clodinafop-propargyl, clomazone, clomeprop, clopyralid, cloransulam, cloransulam-methyl, cumyluron, cyanamide, cyanazine, cycloate, cyclopyranil, cyclopyrimorate, cyclosulfamuron, cycloxydim, cyhalofop, cyhalofop-butyl, cyprazine, 2,4-D, 2,4-D-butotyl, -butyl, -dimethylammonium, -diolamin, -ethyl, 2-ethylhexyl, -isobutyl, -isooctyl, -isopropylammonium, -potassium, -triisopropanolammonium and -trolamine, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DB-butyl, -dimethylammonium, isooctyl, -potassium and -sodium, daimuron (dymron), dalapon, dazomet, n-decanol, desmedipham, detosyl-pyrazolate (DTP), dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, diclofop, diclofop-methyl, diclofop-P-methyl, diclosulam, difenzoquat, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, diflufenzopyr-sodium, dimefuron, dimepiperate, dimethachlor, dimethametryn, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-6-[(2-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)carbonyl]-1-methylquinazolin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, 1,3-dimethyl-4-[2-(methylsulfonyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylate, dimetrasulfuron, dinitramine, dinoterb, diphenamid, diquat, diquat-dibromid, dithiopyr, diuron, DMPA, DNOC, endothal, EPTC, esprocarb, ethalfluralin, ethametsulfuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethiozin, ethofumesate, ethoxyfen, ethoxyfen-ethyl, ethoxysulfuron, etobenzanid, ethyl-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]acetate, F-9960, F-5231, i.e. N-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[4-(3-fluoropropyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]-phenyl]ethanesulfonamide, F-7967, i.e. 3-[7-chloro-5-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-4-yl]-1-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fenoxasulfone, fenquinotrione, fentrazamide, flamprop, flamprop-M-isopropyl, flamprop-M-methyl, flazasulfuron, florasulam, florpyrauxifen, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-butyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, flucetosulfuron, fluchloralin, flufenacet, flufenpyr, flufenpyr-ethyl, flumetsulam, flumiclorac, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluometuron, flurenol, flurenol-butyl, -dimethylammonium and -methyl, fluoroglycofen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, flupropanate, flupyrsulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, fluridone, flurochloridone, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr-meptyl, flurtamone, fluthiacet, fluthiacet-methyl, fomesafen, fomesafen-sodium, foramsulfuron, fosamine, glufosinate, glufosinate-ammonium, glufosinate-P-sodium, glufosinate-P-ammonium, glufosinate-P-sodium, glyphosate, glyphosate-ammonium, -isopropylammonium, -diammonium, -dimethylammonium, -potassium, -sodium and -trimesium, H-9201, i.e. O-(2,4-dimethyl-6-nitrophenyl)O-ethyl isopropylphosphoramidothioate, halauxifen, halauxifen-methyl, halosafen, halosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-P-ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-P-methyl, hexazinone, HW-02, i.e. 1-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)ethyl (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetate, 4-hydroxy-1-methoxy-5-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]imidazolidin-2-one, 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]imidazolidin-2-one, (5-hydroxy-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(3,3,4-trimethyl-1,1-dioxido-2,3-dihydro-1-benzothiophen-5-yl)methanone, 6-[(2-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)carbonyl]-1,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)quinazolin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, imazamethabenz, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazamox-ammonium, imazapic, imazapic-ammonium, imazapyr, imazapyr-isopropylammonium, imazaquin, imazaquin-ammonium, imazethapyr, imazethapyr-ammonium, imazosulfuron, indanofan, indaziflam, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, ioxynil, ioxynil-octanoate, -potassium and sodium, ipfencarbazone, isoproturon, isouron, isoxaben, isoxaflutole, karbutilate, KUH-043, i.e. 3-({[5-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methyl}sulfonyl)-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazole, ketospiradox, lactofen, lenacil, linuron, MCPA, MCPA-butotyl, -dimethylammonium, -2-ethylhexyl, -isopropylammonium, -potassium and -sodium, MCPB, MCPB-methyl, -ethyl and -sodium, mecoprop, mecoprop-sodium and -butotyl, mecoprop-P, mecoprop-P-butotyl, -dimethylammonium, -2-ethylhexyl and -potassium, mefenacet, mefluidide, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron-methyl, mesotrione, methabenzthiazuron, metam, metamifop, metamitron, metazachlor, metazosulfuron, methabenzthiazuron, methiopyrsulfuron, methiozolin, 2-({2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl}carbonyl)cyclohexan-1,3-dione, methyl isothiocyanate, 1-methyl-4-[(3,3,4-trimethyl-1,1-dioxido-2,3-dihydro-1-benzothiophen-5-yl)carbonyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-ylpropan-1-sulfonate, metobromuron, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, metosulam, metoxuron, metribuzin, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, molinate, monolinuron, monosulfuron, monosulfuron esters, MT-5950, i.e. N-[3-chloro-4-(1-methylethyl)-phenyl]-2-methylpentanamide, NGGC-011, napropamide, NC-310, i.e. 4-(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-1-methyl-5-benzyloxypyrazole, neburon, nicosulfuron, nonanoic acid (pelargonic acid), norflurazon, oleic acid (fatty acids), orbencarb, orthosulfamuron, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxasulfuron, oxaziclomefon, oxotrione (lancotrione), oxyfluorfen, paraquat, paraquat dichloride, pebulate, pendimethalin, penoxsulam, pentachlorphenol, pentoxazone, pethoxamid, petroleum oils, phenmedipham, picloram, picolinafen, pinoxaden, piperophos, pretilachlor, primisulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, prodiamine, profoxydim, prometon, prometryn, propachlor, propanil, propaquizafop, propazine, propham, propisochlor, propoxycarbazone, propoxycarbazone-sodium, propyrisulfuron, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, prosulfuron, pyraclonil, pyraflufen, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolynate (pyrazolate), pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazoxyfen, pyribambenz, pyribambenz-isopropyl, pyribambenz-propyl, pyribenzoxim, pyributicarb, pyridafol, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyriminobac, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrimisulfan, pyrithiobac, pyrithiobac-sodium, pyroxasulfone, pyroxsulam, quinclorac, quinmerac, quinoclamine, quizalofop, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, QYM-201, QYR-301, rimsulfuron, saflufenacil, sethoxydim, siduron, simazine, simetryn, sulcotrion, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, SYN-523, SYP-249, i.e. 1-ethoxy-3-methyl-1-oxobut-3-en-2-yl 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoate, SYP-300, i.e. 1-[7-fluoro-3-oxo-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-3-propyl-2-thioxoimidazolidine-4,5-dione, 2,3,6-TBA, TCA (trifluoroacetic acid), TCA-sodium, tebuthiuron, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, tepraloxydim, terbacil, terbucarb, terbumeton, terbuthylazin, terbutryn, tetflupyrolimet, thenylchlor, thiazopyr, thiencarbazone, thiencarbazone-methyl, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, thiobencarb, tiafenacil, tolpyralate, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triafamone, tri-allate, triasulfuron, triaziflam, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl, triclopyr, trietazine, trifloxysulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, trifludimoxazin, trifluralin, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, tritosulfuron, urea sulfate, vernolate, ZJ-0862, i.e. 3,4-dichloro-N-{2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)oxy]benzyl}aniline.

Examples of plant growth regulators as possible mixing partners are:

acibenzolar, acibenzolar-S-methyl, 5-aminolevulinic acid, ancymidol, 6-benzylaminopurine, brassinolide, catechol, chlormequat chloride, cloprop, cyclanilide, 3-(cycloprop-1-enyl)propionic acid, daminozide, dazomet, n-decanol, dikegulac, dikegulac-sodium, endothal, endothal-dipotassium, -disodium, and mono(N,N-dimethylalkylammonium), ethephon, flumetralin, flurenol, flurenol-butyl, flurprimidol, forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid, inabenfide, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 4-indol-3-ylbutyric acid, isoprothiolane, probenazole, jasmonic acid, jasmonic acid methyl ester, maleic hydrazide, mepiquat chloride, 1-methylcyclopropene, 2-(1-naphthyl)acetamide, 1-naphthylacetic acid, 2-naphthyloxyacetic acid, nitrophenolate mixture, 4-oxo-4[(2-phenylethyl)amino]butyric acid, paclobutrazole, N-phenylphthalamic acid, prohexadione, prohexadione-calcium, prohydrojasmone, salicylic acid, strigolactone, tecnazene, thidiazuron, triacontanol, trinexapac, trinexapac-ethyl, tsitodef, uniconazole, uniconazole-P.

Safeners which can be employed in combination with the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention and optionally in combination with further active compounds such as insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides as listed above are preferably selected from the group consisting of:

S1) Compounds of the formula (S1)

where the symbols and indices have the meanings below: n_(A) represents a natural number from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; R_(A) ¹ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, nitro or (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl; W_(A) represents an unsubstituted or substituted divalent heterocyclic radical from the group of the partially unsaturated or aromatic five-membered heterocycles having 1 to 3 ring heteroatoms from the N and O group, where at least one nitrogen atom and at most one oxygen atom is present in the ring, preferably a radical from the group of (W_(A) ¹) to (W_(A) ⁴),

m_(A) represents 0 or 1; R_(A) ² represents OR_(A) ³, SR_(A) ³ or NR_(A) ³R_(A) ⁴ or a saturated or unsaturated 3- to 7-membered heterocycle having at least one nitrogen atom and up to 3 heteroatoms, preferably from the group consisting of O and S, which is joined to the carbonyl group in (S1) via the nitrogen atom and is unsubstituted or substituted by radicals from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or optionally substituted phenyl, preferably a radical of the formula OR_(A) ³, NHR_(A) ⁴ or N(CH₃)₂, especially of the formula OR_(A) ³; R_(A) ³ represents hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, preferably having a total of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; R_(A) ⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; R_(A) ⁵ represents H, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₁-C₅)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₅)-alkyl, cyano or COOR_(A) ⁹, where R_(A) ⁹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₁-C₅)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₁₂)-cycloalkyl or tri-(C₁-C₄)-alkylsilyl; R_(A) ⁶, R_(A) ⁷, R_(A) ⁸ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₁-C₅)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₁₂)-cycloalkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; preferably: a) compounds of the dichlorophenylpyrazoline-3-carboxylic acid type (S1^(a)), preferably compounds such as 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrazoline-3-carboxylic acid, ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-1) (“mefenpyr-diethyl”), and related compounds as described in WO-A-91/07874; b) derivatives of dichlorophenylpyrazolecarboxylic acid (S1^(b)), preferably compounds such as ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylate (S1-2), ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-isopropylpyrazole-3-carboxylate (S1-3), ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)pyrazole-3-carboxylate (S1-4) and related compounds as described in EP-A-333 131 and EP-A-269 806; c) derivatives of 1,5-diphenylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (Sic), preferably compounds such as ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenylpyrazole-3-carboxylate (S1-5), methyl 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-phenylpyrazole-3-carboxylate (S1-6) and related compounds as described in EP-A-268 554, for example; d) compounds of the triazolecarboxylic acid type (S1^(d)), preferably compounds such as fenchlorazole(-ethyl ester), i.e. ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-trichloromethyl-(1H)-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylate (S1-7), and related compounds as described in EP-A-174 562 and EP-A-346 620; e) compounds of the 5-benzyl- or 5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylic acid or of the 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylic acid type (S1^(e)), preferably compounds such as ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-8) or ethyl 5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-9) and related compounds as described in WO-A-91/08202, or 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylic acid (S1-10) or ethyl 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-11) (“isoxadifen-ethyl”) or n-propyl 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-12) or ethyl 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate (S1-13), as described in patent application WO-A-95/07897. S2) Quinoline derivatives of the formula (S2)

where the symbols and indices have the meanings below: R_(B) ¹ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, nitro or (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl; n_(B) represents a natural number from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; R_(B) ² represents OR_(B) ³, SR_(B) ³ or NR_(B) ³R_(B) ⁴ or a saturated or unsaturated 3- to 7-membered heterocycle having at least one nitrogen atom and up to 3 heteroatoms, preferably from the group of O and S, which is joined via the nitrogen atom to the carbonyl group in (S2) and is unsubstituted or substituted by radicals from the group of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or optionally substituted phenyl, preferably a radical of the formula OR_(B) ³, NHR_(B) ⁴ or N(CH₃)₂, especially of the formula OR_(B) ³; R_(B) ³ represents hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, preferably having a total of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; R_(B) ⁴ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; T_(B) represents a (C₁ or C₂)-alkanediyl chain which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radicals or by [(C₁-C₃)-alkoxy]carbonyl; preferably: a) compounds of the 8-quinolinoxyacetic acid type (S2a), preferably 1-methylhexyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (“cloquintocet-mexyl”) (S2-1), (1,3-dimethylbut-1-yl) (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-2), 4-allyloxybutyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-3), 1-allyloxyprop-2-yl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-4), ethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-5), methyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-6), allyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-7), 2-(2-propylideneiminoxy)-1-ethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-8), 2-oxoprop-1-yl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate (S2-9) and related compounds, as described in EP-A-86 750, EP-A-94 349 and EP-A-191 736 or EP-A-0 492 366, and also (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetic acid (S2-10), hydrates and salts thereof, for example the lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium salts thereof, as described in WO-A-2002/34048; b) compounds of the (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonic acid type (S2^(b)), preferably compounds such as diethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate, diallyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate, methyl ethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate and related compounds, as described in EP-A-0 582 198. S3) Compounds of the formula (S3)

where the symbols and indices have the meanings below: R_(C) ¹ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₄)-haloalkenyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, preferably dichloromethyl; R_(C) ², R_(C) ³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₂-C₄)alkenyl, (C₂-C₄)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₄)haloalkenyl, (C₁-C₄)alkylcarbamoyl-(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₂-C₄)alkenylcarbamoyl-(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)alkyl, dioxolanyl-(C₁-C₄)alkyl, thiazolyl, furyl, furylalkyl, thienyl, piperidyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, or R_(C) ³ and R_(C) ³ together form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring, preferably an oxazolidine, thiazolidine, piperidine, morpholine, hexahydropyrimidine or benzoxazine ring; preferably:

-   -   active compounds of the dichloroacetamide type, which are         frequently used as pre-emergence safeners (soil-acting         safeners), for example         “dichlormid” (N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide) (S3-1),         “R-29148” (3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine)         from Stauffer (S3-2),         “R-28725” (3-dichloroacetyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine) from         Stauffer (S3-3),         “benoxacor”         (4-dichloroacetyl-3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazine)         (S3-4),         “PPG-1292”         (N-allyl-N-[(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl]dichloroacetamide) from         PPG Industries (S3-5),         “DKA-24”         (N-allyl-N-[(allylaminocarbonyl)methyl]dichloroacetamide) from         Sagro-Chem (S3-6),         “AD-67” or “MON 4660”         (3-dichloroacetyl-1-oxa-3-azaspiro[4.5]decane) from Nitrokemia         or Monsanto (S3-7),         “TI-35” (1-dichloroacetylazepane) from TRI-Chemical RT (S3-8),         “diclonon” (dicyclonon) or “BAS145138” or “LAB145138” (S3-9)         ((RS)-1-dichloroacetyl-3,3,8a-trimethylperhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-6-one)         from BASF,         “furilazole” or “MON 13900”         ((RS)-3-dichloroacetyl-5-(2-furyl)-2,2-dimethyloxazolidine)         (S3-10); and the (R) isomer thereof (S3-11).         S4) N-acylsulfonamides of the formula (S4) and salts thereof,

in which the symbols and indices have the meanings below: A_(D) represents SO₂—NR_(D) ³-CO or CO—NR_(D) ³—SO₂ X_(D) represents CH or N; R_(D) ¹ represents CO—NR_(D) ⁵R_(D) ⁶ or NHCO—R_(D) ⁷; R_(D) ² represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, nitro, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl; R_(D) ³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl or (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl; R_(D) ⁴ represents halogen, nitro, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, phenyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio, (C₁-C₄)-alkylsulfinyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl; R_(D) ⁵ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₅-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, phenyl or 3- to 6-membered heterocyclyl containing v_(D) heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, where the seven latter radicals are substituted by v_(D) substituents from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₂)-alkylsulfinyl, (C₁-C₂)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkylcarbonyl and phenyl and, in the case of cyclic radicals, also (C₁-C₄)-alkyl and (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl; R_(D) ⁶ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, where the three latter radicals are substituted by v_(D) radicals from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio, or R_(D) ⁵ and R_(D) ⁶ together with the nitrogen atom carrying them form a pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl radical; R_(D) ⁷ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, where the 2 latter radicals are substituted by v_(D) substituents from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy and (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio and, in the case of cyclic radicals, also (C₁-C₄)-alkyl and (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl; n_(D) represents 0, 1 or 2; m_(D) represents 1 or 2; v_(D) represents 0, 1, 2 or 3; among these, preference is given to compounds of the N-acylsulfonamide type, for example of the formula (S4^(a)) below, which are known, for example, from WO-A-97/45016

in which R_(D) ⁷ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, where the 2 latter radicals are substituted by v_(D) substituents from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy and (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio and, in the case of cyclic radicals, also (C₁-C₄)-alkyl and (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl; R_(D) ⁴ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, CF₃; m_(D) represents 1 or 2; v_(D) represents 0, 1, 2 or 3; and also acylsulfamoylbenzamides, for example of the formula (S4^(b)) below, which are known, for example, from WO-A-99/16744,

e.g. those in which R_(D) ⁵=cyclopropyl and (R_(D) ⁴)=2-OMe (“cyprosulfamide”, S4-1), R_(D) ⁵=cyclopropyl and (R_(D) ⁴)=5-C1-2-OMe (S4-2), R_(D) ⁵=ethyl and (R_(D) ⁴)=2-OMe (S4-3), R_(D) ⁵=isopropyl and (R_(D) ⁴)=5-C1-2-OMe (S4-4) and R_(D) ⁵=isopropyl and (R_(D) ⁴)=2-OMe (S4-5) and also compounds of the N-acylsulfamoylphenylurea type, of the formula (S4^(c)), which are known, for example, from EP-A-365484,

in which R_(D) ⁸ and R_(D) ⁹ independently of one another represent hydrogen, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₃-C₅)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, R_(D) ⁴ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, CF₃, m_(D) represents 1 or 2; for example 1-[4-(N-2-methoxybenzoylsulfamoyl)phenyl]-3-methylurea (“metcamifen”, S4-6), 1-[4-(N-2-methoxybenzoylsulfamoyl)phenyl]-3,3-dimethylurea, 1-[4-(N-4,5-dimethylbenzoylsulfamoyl)phenyl]-3-methylurea, and also N-phenylsulfonylterephthalamides of the formula (S4^(d)), which are known, for example, from CN 101838227,

e.g. those in which R_(D) ⁴ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, CF₃; m_(D) represents 1 or 2; R_(D) ⁵ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₅-C₆)-cycloalkenyl. S5) Active compounds from the class of the hydroxyaromatics and the aromatic-aliphatic carboxylic acid derivatives (S5), for example ethyl 3,4,5-triacetoxybenzoate, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxysalicylic acid, 4-fluorosalicylic acid, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2,4-dichlorocinnamic acid, as described in WO-A-2004/084631, WO-A-2005/015994, WO-A-2005/016001. S6) Active compounds from the class of the 1,2-dihydroquinoxalin-2-ones (S6), for example 1-methyl-3-(2-thienyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one, 1-methyl-3-(2-thienyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoxaline-2-thione, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(2-thienyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one hydrochloride, 1-(2-methylsulfonylaminoethyl)-3-(2-thienyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoxalin-2-one, as described in WO-A-2005/112630. S7) Compounds of the formula (S7), as described in WO-A-1998/38856,

in which the symbols and indices have the meanings below: R_(E) ¹, R_(E) ² independently of one another are halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, nitro; A_(E) represents COOR_(E) ³ or COSR_(E) ⁴ R_(E) ³, R_(E) ⁴ independently of one another are hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, cyanoalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, phenyl, nitrophenyl, benzyl, halobenzyl, pyridinylalkyl and alkylammonium, n_(E) represents 0 or 1 n_(E) ², n_(E) ³ independently of one another are 0, 1 or 2, preferably: diphenylmethoxyacetic acid, ethyl diphenylmethoxyacetate, methyl diphenylmethoxyacetate (CAS reg. no. 41858-19-9) (57-1). S8) Compounds of the formula (S8), as described in WO-A-98/27,049, in which

X_(E) represents CH or N, n_(F) in the case that X_(F)=N represents an integer from 0 to 4 and

-   -   in the case that X_(F)=CH represents an integer from 0 to 5,         R_(E) ¹ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl,         (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, nitro, (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio,         (C₁-C₄)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, optionally         substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenoxy,         R_(F) ² represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,         R_(F) ³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl,         (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl or aryl, where each of the abovementioned         carbon-containing radicals is unsubstituted or substituted by         one or more, preferably up to three identical or different         radicals from the group consisting of halogen and alkoxy; or         salts thereof, preferably compounds in which         X_(F) represents CH,         n_(F) represents an integer from 0 to 2,         R_(F) ¹ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl,         (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy,         R_(F) ² represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,         R_(F) ³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₅)-alkyl, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyl,         (C₂-C₄)-alkynyl or aryl, where each of the abovementioned         carbon-containing radicals is unsubstituted or substituted by         one or more, preferably up to three identical or different         radicals from the group consisting of halogen and alkoxy,         or salts thereof.         S9) Active compounds from the class of the         3-(5-tetrazolylcarbonyl)-2-quinolones (S9), for example         1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-1-ethyl-3-(5-tetrazolylcarbonyl)-2-quinolone         (CAS reg. no. 219479-18-2),         1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(5-tetrazolylcarbonyl)-2-quinolone         (CAS Reg. No. 95855-00-8), as described in WO-A-1999/000020.         S10) Compounds of the formulae (S10^(a)) or (S10^(b))     -   as described in WO-A-2007/023719 and WO-A-2007/023764

in which R_(G) ¹ represents halogen, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, methoxy, nitro, cyano, CF₃, OCF₃, Y_(G), Z_(G) independently of one another represent O or S, n_(G) represents an integer from 0 to 4, R_(G) ² represents (C₁-C₁₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, aryl; benzyl, halobenzyl, R_(G) ³ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl. S11) Active compounds of the oxyimino compounds type (S11), which are known as seed-dressing agents, for example “oxabetrinil” ((Z)-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethoxyimino(phenyl)acetonitrile) (S11-1), which is known as a seed-dressing safener for millet/sorghum against metolachlor damage, “fluxofenim” (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-ethanone O-(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)oxime) (S11-2), which is known as a seed-dressing safener for millet/sorghum against metolachlor damage, and “cyometrinil” or “CGA-43089” ((Z)-cyanomethoxyimino(phenyl)acetonitrile) (S11-3), which is known as a seed-dressing safener for millet/sorghum against metolachlor damage. S12) Active compounds from the class of the isothiochromanones (S12), for example methyl [(3-oxo-1H-2-benzothiopyran-4(3H)-ylidene)methoxy]acetate (CAS Reg. No. 205121-04-6) (S12-1) and related compounds from WO-A-1998/13361. S13) One or more compounds from group (S13): “naphthalic anhydride” (1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride) (513-1), which is known as a seed-dressing safener for corn against thiocarbamate herbicide damage, “fenclorim” (4,6-dichloro-2-phenylpyrimidine) (513-2), which is known as a safener for pretilachlor in sown rice, “flurazole” (benzyl 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylate) (S13-3), which is known as a seed-dressing safener for millet/sorghum against alachlor and metolachlor damage, “CL 304415” (CAS Reg. No. 31541-57-8) (4-carboxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-acetic acid) (S13-4) from American Cyanamid, which is known as a safener for corn against damage by imidazolinones, “MG 191” (CAS Reg. No. 96420-72-3) (2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane) (513-5) from Nitrokemia, which is known as a safener for corn, “MG 838” (CAS Reg. No. 133993-74-5) (2-propenyl 1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane-4-carbodithioate) (S13-6) from Nitrokemia, “disulfoton” (0,0-diethyl S-2-ethylthioethyl phosphorodithioate) (S13-7), “dietholate” (0,0-diethyl 0-phenyl phosphorothioate) (S13-8), “mephenate” (4-chlorophenyl methylcarbamate) (S13-9). S14) Active compounds which, in addition to herbicidal action against harmful plants, also have safener action on crop plants such as rice, for example “dimepiperate” or “MY 93” (S-1-methyl 1-phenylethylpiperidine-1-carbothioate), which is known as a safener for rice against damage by the herbicide molinate, “daimuron” or “SK 23” (1-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-3-p-tolylurea), which is known as a safener for rice against damage by the herbicide imazosulfuron, “cumyluron”=“JC 940” (3-(2-chlorophenylmethyl)-1-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)urea, see JP-A-60087254), which is known as safener for rice against damage by some herbicides, “methoxyphenone” or “NK 049” (3,3′-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzophenone), which is known as a safener for rice against damage by some herbicides, “CSB” (1-bromo-4-(chloromethylsulfonyl)benzene) from Kumiai, (CAS Reg. No. 54091-06-4), which is known as a safener against damage by some herbicides in rice. S15) Compounds of the formula (S15) or tautomers thereof

as described in WO-A-2007/131861 and WO-A-2008/131860

-   -   in which         R_(H) ¹ represents a (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl radical and         R_(H) ² represents hydrogen or halogen and         R_(H) ³, R_(H) ⁴ independently of one another represent         hydrogen, (C₁-C₁₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₁₆)-alkenyl or (C₂-C₁₆)-alkynyl,         where each of the 3 latter radicals is unsubstituted or         substituted by one or more radicals from the group of halogen,         hydroxyl, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy,         (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio, (C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di[(C₁-C₄)-alkyl]amino,         [(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy]carbonyl, [(C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy]carbonyl,         (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted, phenyl         which is unsubstituted or substituted, and heterocyclyl which is         unsubstituted or substituted,         or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₄-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl         fused on one side of the ring to a 4 to 6-membered saturated or         unsaturated carbocyclic ring, or (C₄-C₆)-cycloalkenyl fused on         one side of the ring to a 4 to 6-membered saturated or         unsaturated carbocyclic ring,         where each of the 4 latter radicals is unsubstituted or         substituted by one or more radicals from the group consisting of         halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl,         (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio,         (C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, di[(C₁-C₄)-alkyl]amino,         [(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy]carbonyl, [(C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy]carbonyl,         (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted, phenyl         which is unsubstituted or substituted, and heterocyclyl which is         unsubstituted or substituted,         or         R_(H) ³ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, (C₂-C₄)-alkenyloxy,         (C₂-C₆)-alkynyloxy or (C₂-C₄)-haloalkoxy and         R_(H) ⁴ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or         R_(H) ³ and R_(H) ⁴ together with the directly attached nitrogen         atom represent a four- to eight-membered heterocyclic ring         which, as well as the nitrogen atom, may also contain further         ring heteroatoms, preferably up to two further ring heteroatoms         from the group of N, O and S, and which is unsubstituted or         substituted by one or more radicals from the group of halogen,         cyano, nitro, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy,         (C₁-C₄)-haloalkoxy and (C₁-C₄)-alkylthio.         S16) Active compounds which are used primarily as herbicides but         also have safener action on crop plants, for example         (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D),         (4-chlorophenoxy)acetic acid,         (R,S)-2-(4-chloro-o-tolyloxy)propionic acid (mecoprop),         4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB),         (4-chloro-o-tolyloxy)acetic acid (MCPA),         4-(4-chloro-o-tolyloxy)butyric acid,         4-(4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid,         3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba),         1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoate         (lactidichlor-ethyl).

Particularly preferred safeners are mefenpyr-diethyl, cyprosulfamide, isoxadifen-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl, benoxacor, dichlormid and metcamifen.

Wettable powders are preparations uniformly dispersible in water which, in addition to the active compound and apart from a diluent or inert substance, also comprise surfactants of ionic and/or nonionic type (wetting agent, dispersant), e.g. polyethoxylated alkylphenols, polyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyethoxylated fatty amines, fatty alcohol poly glycolethersulfates, alkanesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, sodium lignosulfonate, sodium 2,2′-dinaphthylmethane-6,6′-disulfonate, sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate or else sodium oleoylmethyltaurate. To produce the wettable powders, the herbicidally active compounds are finely ground, for example in customary apparatuses such as hammer mills, blower mills and air-jet mills, and simultaneously or subsequently mixed with the formulation auxiliaries.

Emulsifiable concentrates are produced by dissolving the active compound in an organic solvent, for example butanol, cyclohexanone, dimethylformamide, xylene, or else relatively high-boiling aromatics or hydrocarbons or mixtures of the organic solvents, with addition of one or more ionic and/or nonionic surfactants (emulsifiers). Examples of emulsifiers which may be used are: calcium alkylarylsulfonates such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, or nonionic emulsifiers such as fatty acid polyglycol esters, alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, propylene oxide/ethylene oxide condensation products, alkyl polyethers, sorbitan esters, for example sorbitan fatty acid esters, or polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty esters.

Dusting products are obtained by grinding the active compound with finely distributed solids, for example talc, natural clays, such as kaolin, bentonite and pyrophyllite, or diatomaceous earth.

Suspension concentrates may be water- or oil-based. They may be prepared, for example, by wet-grinding by means of commercial bead mills and optional addition of surfactants as have, for example, already been listed above for the other formulation types.

Emulsions, for example oil-in-water emulsions (EW), can be produced, for example, by means of stirrers, colloid mills and/or static mixers using aqueous organic solvents and optionally surfactants as already listed above, for example, for the other formulation types.

Granules can be prepared either by spraying the active compound onto granular inert material capable of adsorption or by applying active compound concentrates to the surface of carrier substances, such as sand, kaolinites or granular inert material, by means of adhesives, for example polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate or mineral oils. Suitable active compounds can also be granulated in the manner customary for the production of fertilizer granules—if desired as a mixture with fertilizers.

Water-dispersible granules are produced generally by the customary processes such as spray-drying, fluidized-bed granulation, pan granulation, mixing with high-speed mixers and extrusion without solid inert material.

For the production of pan, fluidized-bed, extruder and spray granules, see e.g. processes in “Spray-Drying Handbook” 3rd Ed. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd., London, J. E. Browning, “Agglomeration”, Chemical and Engineering 1967, pages 147 ff.; “Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook”, 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York 1973, pp. 8-57.

For further details regarding the formulation of crop protection compositions, see, for example, G. C. Klingman, “Weed Control as a Science”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961, pages 81-96 and J. D. Freyer, S. A. Evans, “Weed Control Handbook”, 5th Ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1968, pages 101-103.

The agrochemical preparations contain generally 0.1 to 99% by weight, especially 0.1 to 95% by weight, of compounds of the invention. In wettable powders, the active compound concentration is, for example, about 10 to 90% by weight, the remainder to 100% by weight consisting of customary formulation constituents. In emulsifiable concentrates, the active compound concentration may be about 1% to 90% and preferably 5% to 80% by weight. Formulations in the form of dusts comprise 1% to 30% by weight of active compound, preferably usually 5% to 20% by weight of active compound; sprayable solutions contain about 0.05% to 80% by weight, preferably 2% to 50% by weight of active compound. In the case of water-dispersible granules, the active compound content depends partially on whether the active compound is in liquid or solid form and on which granulation auxiliaries, fillers, etc., are used. In the water-dispersible granules, the content of active compound is, for example, between 1 and 95% by weight, preferably between 10 and 80% by weight.

In addition, the active compound formulations mentioned optionally comprise the respective customary stickers, wetters, dispersants, emulsifiers, penetrants, preservatives, antifreeze agents and solvents, fillers, carriers and dyes, defoamers, evaporation inhibitors and agents which influence the pH and the viscosity.

On the basis of these formulations, it is also possible to produce combinations with other pesticidally active substances, for example insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, and also with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, for example in the form of a finished formulation or as a tank mix.

For application, the formulations in commercial form are, if appropriate, diluted in a customary manner, for example in the case of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions and water-dispersible granules with water. Dust-type preparations, granules for soil application or granules for scattering and sprayable solutions are not normally diluted further with other inert substances prior to application.

The required application rate of the compounds of the formula (I) and their salts varies according to the external conditions such as, inter alia, temperature, humidity and the type of herbicide used. It can vary within wide limits, for example between 0.001 and 10.0 kg/ha or more of active substance, but it is preferably between 0.005 and 5 kg/ha, more preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 1.5 kg/ha, particularly preferably in the range from 0.05 to 1 kg/ha g/ha. This applies both to the pre-emergence and the post-emergence application.

A carrier is a natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic substance with which the active compounds are mixed or combined for better applicability, in particular for application to plants or plant parts or seed. The carrier, which may be solid or liquid, is generally inert and should be suitable for use in agriculture. Useful solid or liquid carriers include: for example ammonium salts and natural rock dusts, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and synthetic rock dusts, such as finely divided silica, alumina and natural or synthetic silicates, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers, water, alcohols, especially butanol, organic solvents, mineral and vegetable oils, and derivatives thereof. It is likewise possible to use mixtures of such carriers. Useful solid carriers for granules include: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and also granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs and tobacco stalks.

Suitable liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are liquids which are gaseous at standard temperature and under atmospheric pressure, for example aerosol propellants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, or else butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

In the formulations, it is possible to use tackifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, or else natural phospholipids such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids. Further additives may be mineral and vegetable oils.

When the extender used is water, it is also possible to use, for example, organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Useful liquid solvents are essentially: aromatics such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or dichloromethane, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols such as butanol or glycol and their ethers and esters, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide, and also water.

The compositions according to the invention may additionally comprise further components, for example surfactants. Useful surfactants are emulsifiers and/or foam formers, dispersants or wetting agents having ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of these surfactants. Examples thereof are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts of lignosulfonic acid, salts of phenolsulfonic acid or naphthalenesulfonic acid, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulfosuccinic esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyl taurates), phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, fatty acid esters of polyols, and derivatives of the compounds containing sulfates, sulfonates and phosphates, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, arylsulfonates, protein hydrolysates, lignosulfite waste liquors and methylcellulose. The presence of a surfactant is necessary if one of the active compounds and/or one of the inert carriers is insoluble in water and when application is effected in water. The proportion of surfactants is between 5 and 40 percent by weight of the inventive composition. It is possible to use dyes such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyes such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyanine dyes, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

If appropriate, it is also possible for other additional components to be present, for example protective colloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic substances, penetrants, stabilizers, sequestrants, complexing agents. In general, the active compounds can be combined with any solid or liquid additive commonly used for formulation purposes. In general, the compositions and formulations according to the invention contain between 0.05 and 99% by weight, 0.01 and 98% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 95% by weight, more preferably between 0.5 and 90% active compound, most preferably between 10 and 70 percent by weight. The active compounds or compositions according to the invention can be used as such or, depending on their respective physical and/or chemical properties, in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, such as aerosols, capsule suspensions, cold-fogging concentrates, warm-fogging concentrates, encapsulated granules, fine granules, flowable concentrates for the treatment of seed, ready-to-use solutions, dustable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, macrogranules, microgranules, oil-dispersible powders, oil-miscible flowable concentrates, oil-miscible liquids, foams, pastes, pesticide coated seed, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsion concentrates, soluble concentrates, suspensions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts and granules, water-soluble granules or tablets, water-soluble powders for the treatment of seed, wettable powders, natural products and synthetic substances impregnated with active compound, and also microencapsulations in polymeric substances and in coating materials for seed, and also ULV cold-fogging and warm-fogging formulations.

The formulations mentioned can be produced in a manner known per se, for example by mixing the active compounds with at least one customary extender, solvent or diluent, emulsifier, dispersant and/or binder or fixative, wetting agent, water repellent, optionally siccatives and UV stabilizers and optionally dyes and pigments, antifoams, preservatives, secondary thickeners, tackifiers, gibberellins and other processing auxiliaries.

The compositions according to the invention include not only formulations which are already ready for use and can be deployed with a suitable apparatus onto the plant or the seed, but also commercial concentrates which have to be diluted with water prior to use.

The active compounds according to the invention may be present as such or in their (commercial standard) formulations, or else in the use forms prepared from these formulations as a mixture with other (known) active compounds, such as insecticides, attractants, sterilants, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, fertilizers, safeners or semiochemicals.

The treatment according to the invention of the plants and plant parts with the active compounds or compositions is carried out directly or by action on their surroundings, habitat or storage space using customary treatment methods, for example by dipping, spraying, atomizing, irrigating, evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting, foaming, painting, spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating and, in the case of propagation material, in particular in the case of seeds, furthermore as a powder for dry seed treatment, a solution for seed treatment, a water-soluble powder for slurry treatment, by incrusting, by coating with one or more coats, etc. It is furthermore possible to apply the active compounds by the ultra-low volume method or to inject the active compound preparation or the active compound itself into the soil.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the particular systemic properties of the inventive active ingredients and compositions mean that treatment of the seed with these active ingredients and compositions protects not only the seed itself but also the resulting plants after emergence from phytopathogenic fungi. In this way, the immediate treatment of the crop at the time of sowing or shortly thereafter can be dispensed with.

It is likewise considered to be advantageous that the inventive active ingredients or compositions can especially also be used for transgenic seed, in which case the plant which grows from this seed is capable of expressing a protein which acts against pests. The treatment of such seed with the inventive active ingredients or compositions, merely through the expression of the protein, for example an insecticidal protein, can result in control of certain pests. Surprisingly, a further synergistic effect can be observed in this case, which additionally increases the effectiveness for protection against attack by pests.

The compositions according to the invention are suitable for protection of seed of any plant variety which is used in agriculture, in the greenhouse, in forests or in horticulture and viticulture. In particular, this is the seed of cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, sorghum/millet and oats), corn, cotton, soya beans, rice, potatoes, sunflower, bean, coffee, beet (for example sugar beet and fodder beet), peanut, oilseed rape, poppy, olive, coconut, cocoa, sugar cane, tobacco, vegetables (such as tomato, cucumbers, onions and lettuce), turf and ornamentals (see also below). The treatment of the seed of cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale and oats), corn and rice is of particular importance.

As also described below, the treatment of transgenic seed with the active compounds according to the invention or compositions is of particular significance. This relates to the seed of plants containing at least one heterologous gene which enables the expression of a polypeptide or protein having insecticidal properties. The heterologous gene in transgenic seed can originate, for example, from microorganisms of the species Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter, Glomus or Gliocladium. This heterologous gene preferably originates from Bacillus sp., in which case the gene product is effective against the European corn borer and/or the Western corn rootworm. The heterologous gene more preferably originates from Bacillus thuringiensis.

In the context of the present invention, the inventive composition is applied to the seed alone or in a suitable formulation. Preferably, the seed is treated in a state in which it is sufficiently stable for no damage to occur in the course of treatment. In general, the seed can be treated at any time between harvest and sowing. It is customary to use seed which has been separated from the plant and freed from cobs, shells, stalks, coats, hairs or the flesh of the fruits. For example, it is possible to use seed which has been harvested, cleaned and dried down to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight. Alternatively, it is also possible to use seed which, after drying, for example, has been treated with water and then dried again.

In general, when treating the seed, it has to be ensured that the amount of the composition according to the invention and/or further additives applied to the seed is chosen such that the germination of the seed is not impaired and the plant which arises therefrom is not damaged. This has to be ensured particularly in the case of active compounds which can exhibit phytotoxic effects at certain application rates.

The compositions according to the invention can be applied directly, i.e. without containing any other components and without having been diluted. In general, it is preferable to apply the compositions to the seed in the form of a suitable formulation. Suitable formulations and methods for seed treatment are known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the following documents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,272,417 A, 4,245,432 A, 4,808,430, 5,876,739, US 2003/0176428 A1, WO 2002/080675 A1, WO 2002/028186 A2.

The active compounds which can be used in accordance with the invention can be converted to the customary seed-dressing formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or other coating compositions for seed, and also ULV formulations.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, by mixing the active compounds with customary additives, for example customary extenders and solvents or diluents, dyes, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, antifoams, preservatives, secondary thickeners, adhesives, gibberellins, and also water.

Dyes which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all dyes which are customary for such purposes. It is possible to use either pigments, which are sparingly soluble in water, or dyes, which are soluble in water. Examples include the dyes known by the names Rhodamine B, C.I. Pigment Red 112 and C.I. Solvent Red 1.

Useful wetting agents which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all substances which promote wetting and which are customary for the formulation of agrochemically active compounds. Alkyl naphthalenesulfonates, such as diisopropyl or diisobutyl naphthalenesulfonates, can be used with preference.

Suitable dispersants and/or emulsifiers which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all nonionic, anionic and cationic dispersants customary for the formulation of agrochemically active compounds. Preference is given to using nonionic or anionic dispersants or mixtures of nonionic or anionic dispersants. Suitable nonionic dispersants include especially ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers and tristryrylphenol polyglycol ether, and the phosphated or sulfated derivatives thereof. Suitable anionic dispersants are especially lignosulfonates, polyacrylic acid salts and arylsulfonate-formaldehyde condensates.

Antifoams which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all foam-inhibiting substances customary for the formulation of agrochemically active compounds. Silicone antifoams and magnesium stearate can be used with preference.

Preservatives which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all substances usable for such purposes in agrochemical compositions. Examples include dichlorophene and benzyl alcohol hemiformal.

Secondary thickeners which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all substances usable for such purposes in agrochemical compositions. Preferred examples include cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, xanthan, modified clays and finely divided silica.

Useful stickers which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention are all customary binders usable in seed-dressing products. Preferred examples include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and tylose.

The seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention can be used, either directly or after previously having been diluted with water, for the treatment of a wide range of different seed, including the seed of transgenic plants. In this case, additional synergistic effects may also occur in interaction with the substances formed by expression.

For the treatment of seed with the seed-dressing formulations usable in accordance with the invention or with the preparations prepared therefrom by addition of water, useful equipment is all mixing units usable customarily for seed dressing. Specifically, the seed dressing procedure is to place the seed into a mixer, to add the particular desired amount of seed-dressing formulations, either as such or after prior dilution with water, and to mix them until the formulation is distributed homogeneously on the seed. If appropriate, this is followed by a drying operation.

The active compounds according to the invention, given good plant compatibility, favourable homeotherm toxicity and good environmental compatibility, are suitable for protection of plants and plant organs, for increasing harvest yields, and for improving the quality of the harvested crop. They can preferably be used as crop protection agents. They are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and also against all or specific stages of development.

Plants which can be treated in accordance with the invention include the following main crop plants: corn, soya bean, cotton, Brassica oil seeds such as Brassica napus (e.g. Canola), Brassica rapa, B. juncea (e.g. (field) mustard) and Brassica carinata, rice, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane, oats, rye, barley, millet and sorghum, triticale, flax, grapes and various fruit and vegetables from various botanic taxa, for example Rosaceae sp. (for example pome fruits such as apples and pears, but also stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, almonds and peaches, and berry fruits such as strawberries), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceae sp. (for example banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (for example coffee), Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (for example lemons, oranges and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (for example tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, aubergines), Liliaceae sp., Compositae sp. (for example lettuce, artichokes and chicory—including root chicory, endive or common chicory), Umbelliferae sp. (for example carrots, parsley, celery and celeriac), Cucurbitaceae sp. (for example cucumbers—including gherkins, pumpkins, watermelons, calabashes and melons), Alliaceae sp. (for example leeks and onions), Cruciferae sp. (for example white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pak choi, kohlrabi, radishes, horseradish, cress and chinese cabbage), Leguminosae sp. (for example peanuts, peas, and beans—for example runner beans and broad beans), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for example Swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot), Malvaceae (for example okra), Asparagaceae (for example asparagus); useful plants and ornamental plants in the garden and woods; and in each case genetically modified types of these plants.

As mentioned above, it is possible to treat all plants and their parts in accordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment, wild plant species and plant cultivars, or those obtained by conventional biological breeding techniques, such as crossing or protoplast fusion, and parts thereof, are treated. In a further preferred embodiment, transgenic plants and plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineering methods, if appropriate in combination with conventional methods (genetically modified organisms), and parts thereof are treated. The term “parts” or “parts of plants” or “plant parts” has been explained above. Particular preference is given in accordance with the invention to treating plants of the respective commercially customary plant cultivars or those that are in use. Plant cultivars are understood to mean plants having new properties (“traits”) which have been grown by conventional breeding, by mutagenesis or by recombinant DNA techniques. They may be cultivars, varieties, biotypes and genotypes.

The treatment method according to the invention can be used for the treatment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), e.g. plants or seeds. Genetically modified plants (or transgenic plants) are plants in which a heterologous gene has been stably integrated into the genome. The term “heterologous gene” means essentially a gene which is provided or assembled outside the plant and which, upon introduction into the nuclear genome, the chloroplast genome or the mitochondrial genome, imparts to the transformed plant novel or improved agronomical or other traits because it expresses a protein or polypeptide of interest or another gene which is present in the plant, or other genes which are present in the plant are down-regulated or switched off (for example by means of antisense technology, cosuppression technologies or RNAi technologies [RNA interference]). A heterologous gene that is located in the genome is also called a transgene. A transgene that is defined by its specific presence in the plant genome is called a transformation or transgenic event.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location and growth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), the inventive treatment may also result in superadditive (“synergistic”) effects. For example, the following effects which exceed the effects actually to be expected are possible: reduced application rates and/or widened spectrum of activity and/or increased efficacy of the active ingredients and compositions which can be used in accordance with the invention, better plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salinity, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, bigger fruits, greater plant height, greener leaf colour, earlier flowering, higher quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, higher sugar concentration within the fruits, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products.

At certain application rates, the inventive active ingredient combinations may also have a fortifying effect on plants. Accordingly, they are suitable for mobilizing the defence system of the plant against attack by unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. This may possibly be one of the reasons for the enhanced activity of the inventive combinations for example against fungi. Plant-fortifying (resistance-inducing) substances shall be understood to mean, in the present context, also those substances or combinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defence system of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated with unwanted phytopathogenic fungi, the plants treated display a substantial degree of resistance to these unwanted phytopathogenic fungi. The inventive substances can therefore be used for protection of plants from attack by the pathogens mentioned within a certain period of time after treatment. The period within which protection is achieved generally extends for from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days, after the treatment of the plants with the active ingredients.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably treated in accordance with the invention include all plants which have genetic material which imparts particularly advantageous, useful traits to these plants (whether obtained by breeding and/or biotechnological means).

Plants and plant cultivars which are likewise preferably treated in accordance with the invention are resistant to one or more biotic stress factors, meaning that these plants have a better defence against animal and microbial pests, such as nematodes, insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Examples of nematode-resistant plants are described, for example, in the following U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/765,491, 11/765,494, 10/926,819, 10/782,020, 12/032,479, 10/783,417, 10/782,096, 11/657,964, 12/192,904, 11/396,808, 12/166,253, 12/166,239, 12/166,124, 12/166,209, 11/762,886, 12/364,335, 11/763,947, 12/252,453, 12/209,354, 12/491,396 and 12/497,221.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abiotic stress factors. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, waterlogging, increased soil salinity, increased exposure to minerals, exposure to ozone, exposure to strong light, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients or lack of shade.

Plants and plant varieties which may also be treated according to the invention are those plants characterized by enhanced yield characteristics. Enhanced yield in said plants can be the result of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can also be affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but not limited to early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seed production, seedling vigour, plant size, internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and oil composition, nutritional value, reduction in antinutritional compounds, improved processability and better storage stability.

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plants that already express the characteristics of heterosis, or hybrid effect, which results in generally higher yield, vigour, better health and resistance towards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typically produced by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female crossbreeding parent) with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male crossbreeding parent). Hybrid seed is typically harvested from the male-sterile plants and sold to growers. Male-sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced by detasselling (i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs or male flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result of genetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especially when seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plants, it is typically beneficial to ensure that male fertility in hybrid plants, which contain the genetic determinants responsible for male sterility, is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the male crossbreeding parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capable of restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain the genetic determinants responsible for male sterility. Genetic determinants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm. Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance described for Brassica species. However, genetic determinants for male sterility can also be located in the nuclear genome. Male-sterile plants can also be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering. A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants is described in WO 89/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such as a barnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens. Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of a ribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the invention are herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or more given herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof. Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate by various methods. Thus, for example, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming the plant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutant CT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium (Comai et al., 1983, Science, 221, 370-371), the CP4 gene of the bacterium Agrobacterium sp. (Barry et al., 1992, Curr. Topics Plant Physiol. 7, 139-145), the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS (Shah et al., 1986, Science 233, 478-481), a tomato EPSPS (Gasser et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 4280-4289) or an Eleusine EPSPS (WO 01/66704). It can also be a mutated EPSPS. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate oxidoreductase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate acetyltransferase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurring mutations of the abovementioned genes. Plants which express EPSPS genes which impart glyphosate tolerance have been described. Plants which express other genes which impart glyphosate tolerance, for example decarboxylase genes, have been described.

Other herbicide-resistant plants are for example plants made tolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such as bialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtained by expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant of the glutamine synthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One example of such an effective detoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomyces species). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricin acetyltransferase have been described.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that have been made tolerant to the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenases are enzymes that catalyse the reaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is converted to homogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD inhibitors can be transformed with a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or a gene encoding a mutated or chimeric HPPD enzyme, as described in WO 96/38567, WO 99/24585, WO 99/24586, WO 2009/144079, WO 2002/046387 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,044. Tolerance to HPPD inhibitors can also be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certain enzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite inhibition of the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD inhibitor. Such plants are described in WO 99/34008 and WO 02/36787. Tolerance of plants to HPPD inhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a gene encoding a prephenate dehydrogenase enzyme in addition to a gene encoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme, as described in WO 2004/024928. In addition, plants can be made more tolerant to HPPD inhibitors by inserting into the genome thereof a gene which encodes an enzyme which metabolizes or degrades HPPD inhibitors, for example CYP450 enzymes (see WO 2007/103567 and WO 2008/150473).

Other herbicide-resistant plants are plants which have been rendered tolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS inhibitors include, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines, pyrimidinyloxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides. It is known that different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known as acetohydroxy acid synthase, AHAS) confer tolerance to different herbicides and groups of herbicides, as described, for example, in Tranel and Wright (Weed Science 2002, 50, 700-712). The production of sulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants has been described. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plants have also been described.

Further plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can be obtained by induced mutagenesis, by selection in cell cultures in the presence of the herbicide or by mutation breeding (cf., for example, for soya beans U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,082, for rice WO 97/41218, for sugar beet U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,702 and WO 99/057965, for lettuce U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,599 or for sunflower WO 01/065922).

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants made resistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such insect resistance.

In the present context, the term “insect-resistant transgenic plant” includes any plant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequence encoding the following:

1) an insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal crystal proteins compiled by Crickmore et al. (Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 1998, 62, 807-813), updated by Crickmore et al. (2005) in the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin nomenclature, online at: http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/), or insecticidal portions thereof, for example proteins of the Cry protein classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1B, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or insecticidal portions thereof (e.g. EP-A 1999141 and WO 2007/107302), or those proteins encoded by synthetic genes as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,016; or 2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second crystal protein other than Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cy34 and Cy35 crystal protein (Nat. Biotechnol. 2001, 19, 668-72; Applied Environm. Microbiol. 2006, 71, 1765-1774) or the binary toxin which consists of Cry1A or Cry1F proteins, and the Cry2Aa or Cry2Ab or Cry2Ae proteins (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/214,022 and EP08010791.5); or 3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of two different insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the proteins of 2) above, for example the Cry1A.105 protein produced by corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or 4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some, particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A protein in corn event MIR604; or 5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIP) listed at: http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html, for example proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or 6) a secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins (WO 94/21795); or 7) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid of the proteins in 2) above; or 8) a protein of any one of points 5) to 7) above wherein some, particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect species affected, and/or because of changes induced in the encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in cotton event COT 102; or 9) a secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as the binary toxin made up of the proteins VIP3 and Cry1A or Cry1F (U.S. patent applications 61/126,083 and 61/195,019), or the binary toxin made up of the VIP3 protein and the Cry2Aa or Cry2Ab or Cry2Ae proteins (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/214,022 and EP 08010791.5); or 10) a protein according to point 9) above wherein some, particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect species affected, and/or because of changes induced in the encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still encoding an insecticidal protein).

Of course, insect-resistant transgenic plants, as used herein, also include any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding the proteins of any one of the abovementioned classes 1 to 10. In one embodiment, an insect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding a protein of any one of the above classes 1 to 10, to expand the range of the target insect species affected or to delay insect resistance development to the plants, by using different proteins insecticidal to the same target insect species but having a different mode of action, such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

In the present context, an “insect-resistant transgenic plant” additionally includes any plant containing at least one transgene comprising a sequence for production of double-stranded RNA which, after consumption of food by an insect pest, prevents the growth of this pest.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are tolerant to abiotic stress factors. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stress-tolerant plants include the following:

a. plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants; b. plants which contain a stress tolerance-enhancing transgene capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the PARG-encoding genes of the plants or plant cells; c. plants which contain a stress tolerance-enhancing transgene coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide salvage biosynthesis pathway, including nicotinamidase, nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenyltransferase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase or nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage stability of the harvested product and/or altered properties of specific components of the harvested product such as, for example:

1) Transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch which, in its physicochemical characteristics, in particular the amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of branching, the average chain length, the side chain distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the starch granule size and/or the starch granule morphology, is changed in comparison with the synthesized starch in wild-type plant cells or plants, so that this modified starch is better suited to specific applications. 2) Transgenic plants which synthesize non-starch carbohydrate polymers or which synthesize non-starch carbohydrate polymers with altered properties in comparison to wild-type plants without genetic modification. Examples are plants which produce polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan type, plants which produce alpha-1,4-glucans, plants which produce alpha-1,6-branched alpha-1,4-glucans, and plants producing alternan. 3) Transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan. 4) Transgenic plants or hybrid plants such as onions with particular properties, such as “high soluble solids content”, “low pungency” (LP) and/or “long storage” (LS).

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fibre characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such altered fibre characteristics and include:

a) plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of cellulose synthase genes; b) plants, such as cotton plants, which contain an altered form of rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids, such as cotton plants with an increased expression of sucrose phosphate synthase; c) plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of sucrose synthase; d) plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the plasmodesmatal gating at the base of the fibre cell is altered, for example through downregulation of fibre-selective $-1,3-glucanase; e) plants, such as cotton plants, which have fibres with altered reactivity, for example through expression of the N-acetylglucosaminetransferase gene, including nodC, and chitin synthase genes.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassica plants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

a) plants, such as oilseed rape plants, which produce oil having a high oleic acid content; b) plants, such as oilseed rape plants, which produce oil having a low linolenic acid content; c) plants, such as oilseed rape plants, which produce oil having a low level of saturated fatty acids.

Plants or plant cultivars (which can be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants such as potatoes which are virus-resistant, for example to the potato virus Y (SY230 and SY233 events from Tecnoplant, Argentina), or which are resistant to diseases such as potato late blight (e.g. RB gene), or which exhibit reduced cold-induced sweetness (which bear the genes Nt-Inh, II-INV) or which exhibit the dwarf phenotype (A-20 oxidase gene).

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassica plants, with altered seed shattering characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such altered characteristics, and include plants such as oilseed rape with retarded or reduced seed scattering.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which can be treated according to the invention are plants with transformation events or combinations of transformation events which are the subject of granted or pending petitions for nonregulated status in the USA at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Information relating to this is available at any time from APHIS (4700 River Road Riverdale, Md. 20737, USA), for example via the website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/not_reg.html. At the filing date of this application, the petitions with the following information were either granted or pending at APHIS:

-   -   Petition: Identification number of the petition. The technical         description of the transformation event can be found in the         specific petition document available from APHIS on the website         via the petition number. These descriptions are hereby disclosed         by reference.     -   Extension of a petition: Reference to an earlier petition for         which an extension of scope or term is being requested.     -   Institution: Name of the person submitting the petition.     -   Regulated article: The plant species in question.     -   Transgenic phenotype: The trait imparted to the plant by the         transformation event.     -   Transformation event or line: The name of the event(s)         (sometimes also referred to as line(s)) for which nonregulated         status is being requested.     -   APHIS documents: Various documents which have been published by         APHIS with regard to the petition or can be obtained from APHIS         on request.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which can be treated in accordance with the invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which code for one or more toxins, for example the transgenic plants which are sold under the following trade names: YIELD GARD® (for example corn, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut® (for example corn), BiteGard® (for example corn), BT-Xtra® (for example corn), StarLink® (for example corn), Bollgard® (cotton), Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B® (cotton), NatureGard® (for example corn), Protecta® and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plants include corn varieties, cotton varieties and soya bean varieties which are available under the following trade names: Roundup Ready® (tolerance to glyphosates, for example corn, cotton, soya beans), Liberty Link® (tolerance to phosphinothricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI® (tolerance to imidazolinone) and SCS® (tolerance to sulfonylurea), for example corn. Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include the varieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example corn).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according to the invention are plants containing transformation events, or a combination of transformation events, and that are listed for example in the databases for various national or regional regulatory agencies (see for example http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx and http://cera-gmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&colDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit).

The active compounds or compositions according to the invention can also be used in the protection of materials, for protection of industrial materials against attack and destruction by unwanted microorganisms, for example fungi and insects.

In addition, the compounds according to the invention can be used as antifouling compositions, alone or in combinations with other active compounds.

Industrial materials in the present context are understood as meaning non-living materials which have been prepared for use in industry. For example, industrial materials which are to be protected by active compounds according to the invention from microbial alteration or destruction may be adhesives, sizes, paper, wallpaper and cardboard, textiles, carpets, leather, wood, paints and plastic articles, cooling lubricants and other materials which can be infected with or destroyed by microorganisms. The range of materials to be protected also includes parts of production plants and buildings, for example cooling water circuits, cooling and heating systems, and ventilation and air conditioning systems, which may be impaired by the proliferation of microorganisms. Industrial materials within the scope of the present invention preferably include adhesives, sizes, paper and cardboard, leather, wood, paints, cooling lubricants and heat transfer fluids, particularly preferably wood. The active compounds or compositions according to the invention may prevent adverse effects, such as rotting, decay, discoloration, decoloration or formation of mould. In addition, the compounds according to the invention can be used for protection of objects which come into contact with saltwater or brackish water, especially hulls, screens, nets, buildings, moorings and signalling systems, from fouling.

The method according to the invention for controlling unwanted fungi can also be employed for protecting storage goods. Here, storage goods are to be understood as meaning natural substances of vegetable or animal origin or processing products thereof of natural origin, for which long-term protection is desired. Storage goods of vegetable origin, for example plants or plant parts, such as stems, leaves, tubers, seeds, fruits, grains, can be protected freshly harvested or after processing by (pre)drying, moistening, comminuting, grinding, pressing or roasting. Storage goods also include timber, whether unprocessed, such as construction timber, electricity poles and barriers, or in the form of finished products, such as furniture. Storage goods of animal origin are, for example, hides, leather, furs and hairs. The active compounds according to the invention may prevent adverse effects, such as rotting, decay, discoloration, decoloration or formation of mould.

Non-limiting examples of pathogens of fungal diseases which can be treated in accordance with the invention include: Diseases caused by powdery mildew pathogens, for example Blumeria species, for example Blumeria graminis; Podosphaera species, for example Podosphaera leucotricha; Sphaerotheca species, for example Sphaerotheca fuliginea; Uncinula species, for example Uncinula necator; diseases caused by rust disease pathogens, for example Gymnosporangium species, for example Gymnosporangium sabinae; Hemileia species, for example Hemileia vastatrix; Phakopsora species, for example Phakopsora pachyrhizi and Phakopsora meibomiae; Puccinia species, for example Puccinia recondita or Puccinia triticina; Uromyces species, for example Uromyces appendiculatus; diseases caused by pathogens from the group of the Oomycetes, for example Bremia species, for example Bremia lactucae; Peronospora species, for example Peronospora pisi or P. brassicae; Phytophthora species, for example Phytophthora infestans; Plasmopara species, for example Plasmopara viticola; Pseudoperonospora species, for example Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis; Pythium species, for example Pythium ultimum; leaf blotch diseases and leaf wilt diseases caused, for example, by Alternaria species, for example Alternaria solani; Cercospora species, for example Cercospora beticola; Cladiosporium species, for example Cladiosporium cucumerinum; Cochliobolus species, for example Cochliobolus sativus (conidia form: Drechslera, syn: Helminthosporium); Colletotrichum species, for example Colletotrichum lindemuthanium; Cycloconium species, for example Cycloconium oleaginum; Diaporthe species, for example Diaporthe citri; Elsinoe species, for example Elsinoe fawcettii; Gloeosporium species, for example Gloeosporium laeticolor; Glomerella species, for example Glomerella cingulata; Guignardia species, for example Guignardia bidwelli; Leptosphaeria species, for example Leptosphaeria maculans; Magnaporthe species, for example Magnaporthe grisea; Microdochium species, for example Microdochium nivale; Mycosphaerella species, for example Mycosphaerelle graminicola and M. fijiensis; Phaeosphaeria species, for example Phaeosphaeria nodorum; Pyrenophora species, for example Pyrenophora teres; Ramularia species, for example Ramularia collo-cygni; Rhynchosporium species, for example Rhynchosporium secalis; Septoria species, for example Septoria apii; Typhula species, for example Typhula incarnata; Venturia species, for example Venturia inaequalis; root and stem diseases caused, for example, by Corticium species, for example Corticium graminearum; Fusarium species, for example Fusarium oxysporum; Gaeumannomyces species, for example Gaeumannomyces graminis; Rhizoctonia species, for example Rhizoctonia solani; Tapesia species, for example Tapesia acuformis; Thielaviopsis species, for example Thielaviopsis basicola; ear and panicle diseases (including corn crops) caused, for example, by Alternaria species, for example Alternaria spp.; Aspergillus species, for example Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium species, for example Cladosporium spp.; Claviceps species, for example Claviceps purpurea; Fusarium species, for example Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella species, for example Gibberella zeae; Monographella species, for example Monographella nivalis; Septoria species, for example Septoria nodorum; diseases caused by smut fungi, for example Sphacelotheca species, for example Sphacelotheca reiliana; Tilletia species, for example Tilletia caries, T. controversa; Urocystis species, for example Urocystis occulta; Ustilago species, for example Ustilago nuda, U. nuda tritici; fruit rot caused, for example, by Aspergillus species, for example Aspergillus flavus; Botrytis species, for example Botrytis cinerea; Penicillium species, for example Penicillium expansum and P. purpurogenum; Sclerotinia species, for example Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; Verticilium species, for example Verticilium alboatrum; seed- and soil-borne rot and wilt diseases, and also diseases of seedlings, caused, for example, by Fusarium species, for example Fusarium culmorum; Phytophthora species, for example Phytophthora cactorum; Pythium species, for example Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctonia species, for example Rhizoctonia solani; Sclerotium species, for example Sclerotium rolfsii; cancerous diseases, galls and witches' broom caused, for example, by Nectria species, for example Nectria galligena;

wilt diseases caused, for example, by Monilinia species, for example Monilinia laxa; deformations of leaves, flowers and fruits caused, for example, by Taphrina species, for example Taphrina deformans; degenerative diseases of woody plants caused, for example, by Esca species, for example Phaemoniella clamydospora and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Fomitiporia mediterranea; diseases of flowers and seeds caused, for example, by Botrytis species, for example Botrytis cinerea; diseases of plant tubers caused, for example, by Rhizoctonia species, for example Rhizoctonia solani; Helminthosporium species, for example Helminthosporium solani; diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, for example Xanthomonas species, for example Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae; Pseudomonas species, for example Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans; Erwinia species, for example Erwinia amylovora.

The following diseases of soya beans can be controlled with preference:

Fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused, for example, by Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec. atrans tenuissima), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporoides dematium var. truncatum), brown spot (Septoria glycines), Cercospora leaf spot and blight (Cercospora kikuchii), Choanephora leaf blight (Choanephora infundibulifera trispora (Syn.)), Dactuliophora leaf spot (Dactuliophora glycines), downy mildew (Peronospora manshurica), Drechslera blight (Drechslera glycini), frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina), Leptosphaerulina leaf spot (Leptosphaerulina trifolii), Phyllosticta leaf spot (Phyllosticta sojaecola), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis sojae), powdery mildew (Microsphaera diffusa), Pyrenochaeta leaf spot (Pyrenochaeta glycines), Rhizoctonia aerial, foliage, and web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phakopsora meibomiae), scab (Sphaceloma glycines), Stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot (Corynespora cassiicola).

Fungal diseases on roots and the stem base caused, for example, by black root rot (Calonectria crotalariae), charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), Fusarium blight or wilt, root rot, and pod and collar rot (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium orthoceras, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium equiseti), Mycoleptodiscus root rot (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris), Neocosmospora (Neocosmospora vasinfecta), pod and stem blight (Diaporthe phaseolorum), stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora), Phytophthora rot (Phytophthora megasperma), brown stem rot (Phialophora gregata), Pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium debaryanum, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium ultimum), Rhizoctonia root rot, stem decay, and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani), Sclerotinia stem decay (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Sclerotinia southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii), Thielaviopsis root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola).

Microorganisms capable of degrading or altering the industrial materials include, for example, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae and slime organisms. The active compounds according to the invention preferably act against fungi, especially moulds, wood-discolouring and wood-destroying fungi (Basidiomycetes), and against slime organisms and algae. Examples include microorganisms of the following genera: Alternaria, such as Alternaria tenuis; Aspergillus, such as Aspergillus niger; Chaetomium, such as Chaetomium globosum; Coniophora, such as Coniophora puetana; Lentinus, such as Lentinus tigrinus; Penicillium, such as Penicillium glaucum; Polyporus, such as Polyporus versicolor; Aureobasidium, such as Aureobasidium pullulans; Sclerophoma, such as Sclerophoma pityophila; Trichoderma, such as Trichoderma viride; Escherichia, such as Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

In addition, the active compounds according to the invention also have very good antimycotic activity. They have a very broad antimycotic activity spectrum, in particular against dermatophytes and yeasts, moulds and diphasic fungi, (for example against Candida species, such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata), and Epidermophyton floccosum, Aspergillus species, such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichophyton species, such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporon species such as Microsporon canis and audouinii. The enumeration of these fungi in no way constitutes a restriction of the mycotic spectrum that can be controlled, and is merely of illustrative character.

The active compounds according to the invention can therefore be used both in medical and in non-medical applications.

If appropriate, the compounds according to the invention can, at certain concentrations or application rates, also be used as herbicides, safeners, growth regulators or agents to improve plant properties, or as microbicides, for example as fungicides, antimycotics, bactericides, viricides (including agents against viroids) or as agents against MLO (mycoplasma-like organisms) and RLO (rickettsia-like organisms). They can, as the case may be, also be used as intermediates or precursors for the synthesis of other active compounds.

The examples which follow illustrate the invention.

CHEMICAL EXAMPLES Preparation of 4-cyclopropyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-{[2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-yl]oxy}pyrimidine (Example No. I-001) 6-Cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidin-4-ol

To a solution of 4.9 g (0.213 mol) of sodium in 100 ml of ethanol are successively added 30 g (192.0 mmol) of ethyl 3-cyclopropyl-3-oxopropionate and 16.8 g (220.0 mmol) of thiourea. This mixture is stirred under reflux for 48 hours and cooled, and then 35 ml of H₂O is added. This is followed by dropwise addition of 18.4 ml (192.0 mmol) of dimethyl sulfate, in the course of which the mixture boils gently. The mixture is left to boil for a further 15 minutes, then another 20 ml of H₂O is added and then the mixture is adjusted to pH 2 with 2N NaOH solution. After twice extracting with ether, the water phase is adjusted to pH 2 with 2N HCl solution. After cooling, the compound precipitates out in solid form. 18 g (51%) of product having a melting point of 168-170° C. is obtained.

1-H-NMR (400.0 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.95 (m, 2H), 1.10 (m, 2H), 1.78 (m, 1H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 6.10 (s, 1H), 12.60 (bs, OH).

4-Chloro-6-cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidine

A mixture of 9 g (49.0 mmol) of 6-cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidin-4-ol and 32 ml (345.0 mmol) of phosphoryl chloride in 163 ml of acetonitrile is stirred under reflux for 8 hours. After concentration, the residue is repeatedly admixed with toluene and concentrated again. Thereafter, the residue is taken up in CH₂Cl₂, and H₂O is added cautiously. The water phase is extracted repeatedly with CH₂Cl₂, and the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Chromatographic purification using silica gel heptane/ethyl acetate (7:3) gives 9.1 g (91%) of product. 1-H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.10 (m, 2H), 1.20 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 1H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 6.82 (s, 1H).

4-Cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]pyrimidine

To a solution of 0.68 g (4.98 mmol) of 4-trifluoromethylpyrazole in 15 ml DMF is added 2.07 g (14.9 mmol) of potassium carbonate, and this mixture is stirred at room temperature 30 minutes. After addition of 1.0 g (4.98 mmol) of 4-chloro-6-cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidine, this mixture is stirred at 90° C. for 8 hours and then left to stand at room temperature overnight. After aqueous workup and extraction with CH₂Cl₂, the organic phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and then concentrated. In this way, 1.37 g (91.5%) of product is obtained, which is pure enough for the further reaction.

1-H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.12 (m, 2H), 1.25 (m, 2H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.58 (s, 2H), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 8.82 (s, 1H).

4-Cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]pyrimidine

To a solution of 1.3 g (4.33 mmol) of 4-cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]pyrimidine in 25 ml of CH₂Cl₂ is added 2.88 g (11.69 mmol) of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (70%), and this mixture is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Then 30 ml of an aqueous sodium disulfite solution (10%) is added to the reaction mixture, which is extracted repeatedly with CH₂Cl₂, and the organic phase is washed with 30 ml of a saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. After drying over Na₂SO₄ and concentration of the organic phase, 1.45 g (100%) of product is obtained, which is pure enough for further reactions.

1-H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.35 (m, 4H), 2.25 (m, 1H), 8.00 (2s, 2H), 8.95 (s, 1H).

4-Cyclopropyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-{[2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-4-yl]oxy}-pyrimidine (I-001)

To a solution of 0.71 g (4.34 mmol) of 2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-ol in 20 ml of acetonitrile are successively added 1.17 g (8.43 mmol) of potassium carbonate and 1.4 g (4.21 mmol) of 4-cyclopropyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)-6-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]pyrimidine, and this mixture is stirred under reflux for several hours. After the reaction has ended, the reaction mixture is added to 50 ml of H₂O and extracted repeatedly with CH₂Cl₂. After the organic phase has been dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated, and the crude product has been purified by column chromatography using silica gel heptane/ethyl acetate (1:1), 1.17 g (67%) of 4-cyclopropyl-6-[4-(trifluoromethy)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-2-{[2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-4-yl]oxy}pyrimidine is obtained with a melting point of 68-71° C.

1-H-NMR (400 MHz), CDCl₃): δ 1.15 (m, 4H), 2.13 (m, 1H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.70 (s, 1H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.80 (d, 1H).

The NMR data of disclosed examples are listed either in conventional form (6 values, multiplet splitting, number of hydrogen atoms) or as so-called NMR peak lists. In the NMR peak list method, the NMR data of selected examples are recorded in the form of NMR peak lists, where for each signal peak first the 6 value in ppm and then, separated by a space, the signal intensity are listed. The 6 value/signal intensity number pairs for different signal peaks are listed with separation from one another by semicolons.

The peak list for one example therefore takes the form of:

δ₁ (intensity₁); δ₂ (intensity₂); . . . ; δ_(i) (intensity_(i)); . . . ; δ_(n) (intensity_(n))

The intensity of sharp signals correlates with the height of the signals in a printed example of an NMR spectrum in cm and shows the true ratios of the signal intensities. In the case of broad signals, several peaks or the middle of the signal and the relative intensity thereof may be shown in comparison to the most intense signal in the spectrum.

For calibration of the chemical shift of ¹H NMR spectra, we use tetramethylsilane and/or the chemical shift of the solvent, particularly in the case of spectra which are measured in DMSO. Therefore, the tetramethylsilane peak may but need not occur in NMR peak lists.

The lists of the ¹H NMR peaks are similar to the conventional ¹H NMR printouts and thus usually contain all peaks listed in a conventional NMR interpretation.

In addition, like conventional ¹H NMR printouts, they may show solvent signals, signals of stereoisomers of the target compounds which are likewise provided by the invention, and/or peaks of impurities.

In the reporting of compound signals within the delta range of solvents and/or water, our lists of ¹H NMR peaks show the standard solvent peaks, for example peaks of DMSO in DMSO-D₆ and the peak of water, which usually have a high intensity on average.

The peaks of stereoisomers of the target compounds and/or peaks of impurities usually have a lower intensity on average than the peaks of the target compounds (for example with a purity of >90%).

Such stereoisomers and/or impurities may be typical of the particular preparation process. Their peaks can thus help in identifying reproduction of our preparation process with reference to “by-product fingerprints”.

An expert calculating the peaks of the target compounds by known methods (MestreC, ACD simulation, but also with empirically evaluated expected values) can, if required, isolate the peaks of the target compounds, optionally using additional intensity filters. This isolation would be similar to the relevant peak picking in conventional 1H NMR interpretation.

Further details of ¹H NMR peak lists can be found in the Research disclosure Database Number 564025.

TABLE 5 NMR peak list Example No. I-001: ¹H-NMR(400.0 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.7799 (2.7); 8.7663 (2.8); 8.7024 (3.9); 7.9630 (4.9); 7.6924 (10.4); 7.6504 (3.8); 7.6449 (3.8); 7.3889 (1.9); 7.3834 (1.8); 7.3752 (1.8); 7.3699 (1.8); 7.2622 (76.2); 7.2522 (2.0); 2.1481 (0.5); 2.1357 (0.9); 2.1288 (1.0); 2.1166 (1.7); 2.1104 (0.8); 2.1041 (1.0); 2.0973 (1.0); 1.5549 (16.0); 1.2635 (0.8); 1.2070 (0.5); 1.1927 (1.7); 1.1856 (3.3); 1.1795 (2.1); 1.1728 (1.9); 1.1654 (4.4); 1.1605 (3.3); 1.1566 (3.6); 1.1495 (3.9); 1.1452 (4.1); 1.1378 (1.8); 0.8818 (1.3); 0.0080 (1.8); −0.0002 (44.3); −0.0085 (2.1) Example No. I-003: ¹H-NMR(400.6 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.6967 (2.6); 8.6943 (3.6); 8.6920 (2.7); 8.2236 (3.6); 8.2094 (3.7); 7.9508 (4.5); 7.7763 (1.0); 7.6917 (2.5); 7.6536 (11.0); 7.5100 (5.4); 7.3283 (2.6); 7.2605 (31.0); 7.0002 (2.9); 6.9951 (3.1); 6.9859 (2.8); 6.9808 (3.0); 6.7939 (4.0); 6.7893 (3.8); 2.1259 (1.4); 2.1102 (2.0); 2.0944 (1.6); 1.5393 (7.6); 1.1797 (16.0); 1.1723 (1.3); 1.1639 (9.1); 1.1556 (0.8); 0.0080 (1.1); −0.0002 (41.5); −0.0085 (1.4) Example No. II-004: ¹H-NMR(400.6 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.6233 (3.7); 8.6210 (5.2); 8.6186 (3.8); 7.9253 (6.5); 7.5817 (16.0); 7.4688 (2.6); 7.4568 (0.6); 7.4489 (2.7); 7.4465 (3.6); 7.4395 (0.5); 7.4363 (0.6); 7.4268 (3.6); 7.2603 (40.9); 7.1755 (1.4); 7.1728 (2.1); 7.1706 (2.0); 7.1678 (3.0); 7.1562 (2.5); 7.1512 (5.5); 7.1478 (5.8); 7.1443 (3.4); 7.1419 (2.4); 7.1374 (2.5); 7.1349 (1.9); 7.1322 (1.1); 6.5070 (0.8); 2.1059 (0.6); 2.0938 (1.2); 2.0866 (1.4); 2.0809 (0.9); 2.0746 (2.6); 2.0662 (0.9); 2.0622 (1.2); 2.0552 (1.4); 2.0430 (0.7); 1.5370 (9.6); 1.1763 (0.5); 1.1610 (2.3); 1.1537 (5.8); 1.1492 (5.1); 1.1420 (4.5); 1.1381 (3.9); 1.1334 (6.2); 1.1261 (2.4); 1.1193 (2.7); 1.1135 (4.2); 1.1062 (2.5); 1.0918 (0.6); 0.0080 (1.4); −0.0002 (53.9); −0.0085 (1.6)

B. FORMULATION EXAMPLES 1. Dusting Products

A dusting product is obtained by mixing 10 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I) and 90 parts by weight of talc as an inert substance and comminuting the mixture in a hammer mill.

2. Dispersible Powder

A readily water-dispersible wettable powder is obtained by mixing 25 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I), 64 parts by weight of kaolin-containing quartz as an inert substance, 10 parts by weight of potassium lignosulfonate and 1 part by weight of sodium oleoylmethyltaurate as a wetting agent and dispersant, and grinding the mixture in a pinned-disk mill.

3. Dispersion Concentrate

A readily water-dispersible dispersion concentrate is obtained by mixing 20 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I), 6 parts by weight of alkylphenol polyglycol ether (®Triton X 207), 3 parts by weight of isotridecanol polyglycol ether (8 EO) and 71 parts by weight of paraffinic mineral oil (boiling range for example about 255 to more than 277° C.) and grinding the mixture in a friction ball mill to a fineness of below 5 microns.

4. Emulsifiable Concentrate

An emulsifiable concentrate is obtained from 15 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I), 75 parts by weight of cyclohexanone as a solvent and 10 parts by weight of ethoxylated nonylphenol as an emulsifier.

5. Water-Dispersible Granules

Water-dispersible granules are obtained by mixing

75 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I), 10″ of calcium lignosulfonate, 5″ of sodium laurylsulfate, 3″ of polyvinyl alcohol and 7″ of kaolin, grinding the mixture in a pinned-disk mill, and granulating the powder in a fluidized bed by spray application of water as a granulating liquid.

Water-dispersible granules are also obtained by homogenizing and precomminuting, in a colloid mill,

25 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I), 5″ of sodium 2,2′-dinaphthylmethane-6,6′-disulfonate, 2″ of sodium oleoylmethyltaurinate, 1″ of polyvinyl alcohol, 17″ of calcium carbonate and 50″ of water, then grinding the mixture in a bead mill and atomizing and drying the suspension thus obtained in a spray tower by means of a one-phase nozzle.

C. BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Post-Emergence Herbicidal Action and Crop Plant Compatibility

Seeds of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds and crop plants are placed in sandy loam in plastic or organic plant pots, covered with soil and cultivated in a greenhouse under controlled growth conditions. 2 to 3 weeks after sowing, the test plants are treated at the one-leaf stage. The compounds of the invention, formulated in the form of wettable powders (WP) or as emulsion concentrates (EC), are then sprayed onto the green parts of the plants as aqueous suspension or emulsion with addition of 0.5% additive at a water application rate of 600 l/ha (converted). After the test plants have been kept in the greenhouse under optimum growth conditions for about 3 weeks, the activity of the preparations is rated visually in comparison to untreated controls. For example, 100% activity=the plants have died, 0% activity=like control plants.

The abbreviations used here have the following meanings:

-   ABUTH Abutilon theophrasti -   AMARE Amaranlhus retroflexus -   CYPES Cyperus serotinus -   ECHCGEchinocloa crus galli -   LOLRI Lolium rigidum Gaudin -   PHBPU Pharbitis purpurcum -   SETVI Setaria viridis -   VERPE Veronica persica -   ALOMY Alopccurus myosuroides -   AVEFA Avena fatua -   DIGSA Digitaria sanguinalis -   LOLMU Lolium multiflorum -   MATIN Matricaria inodora -   POLCO Polygonum convolvulus -   STEME Stellaria media -   VIOTR Viola tricolor

TABLE 6 Post-emergence action at 320 g/ha Example Dosage number [g/ha] ALOMY AVEFA ECHCG LOLMU LOLRI SETVI ABUTH III-001 320 90 90 90 90 100 90 I-001 320 90 90 90 100 100 100 IV-001 320 80 80 80 90 II-001 320 80 80 90 I-003 320 90 90 90 80 II-004 320 80 90 90 Example number AMARE MATIN PHBPU POLCO STEME VIOTR VERPE III-001 100 90 100 90 100 100 100 I-001 90 90 90 100 100 100 IV-001 100 90 80 90 100 90 100 II-001 90 80 90 100 100 I-003 90 80 90 90 II-004 90 80 90 90

As shown by the results, compounds according to the invention such as, for example, the compounds No. I-001, II-001, III-001, IV-001 and other compounds from table 6 have, when used for post-emergence treatment, good herbicidal action against harmful plants. In this case, for example, in the post-emergence process, the compounds No. 1-001 and 111-001 have very good herbicidal activity (80% to 100% herbicidal action) against harmful plants such as Abutilon theophrasti, Alopecurus myosuroides, Amaranthus retroflexus, Avena fatua, Echinochloa crus-galli, Matricaria inodora, Pharbitis purpurea, Setaria viridis, Stellaria media, Veronica persica and Viola tricolor at an application rate of 0.32 kg of active substance or less per hectare. At the same time, some compounds according to the invention leave graminaceous crops such as barley, wheat, rye, millet/sorghum, maize, rice or sugarcane virtually undamaged when applied by the post-emergence method, even at high active compound dosages. Some substances are additionally also benign to dicotyledonous crops such as soya, cotton, oilseed rape or sugarbeet.

Some of the compounds according to the invention show high selectivity and are therefore suitable for application by the post-emergence method for control of unwanted plant growth in agricultural crops.

Pre-Emergence Herbicidal Action and Crop Plant Compatibility

Seeds of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed plants and crop plants are placed in plastic or organic plant pots and covered with soil. The compounds of the invention, formulated in the form of wettable powders (WP) or as emulsion concentrates (EC), are then applied onto the surface of the covering soil as aqueous suspension or emulsion with addition of 0.5% additive at a water application rate of 600 l/ha (converted). After the treatment, the pots are placed in a greenhouse and kept under good growth conditions for the trial plants. After about 3 weeks, the effect of the preparations is scored visually in comparison with untreated controls as percentages. For example, 100% activity=the plants have died, 0% activity=like control plants.

TABLE 7 Pre-emergence action at 320 g/ha Example Dosage number [g/ha] ALOMY AVEFA CYPES DIGSA ECHCG LOLMU LOLRI SETVI I-001 320 100 100 80 100 100 100 I-003 320 100 90 100 90 100 100 III-001 320 100 90 100 90 100 II-004 320 90 100 90 100 IV-001 320 100 100 90 II-001 320 100 80 100 Example number ABUTH AMARE MATIN PHBPU POLCO STEME VIOTR VERPE I-001 90 90 100 100 100 100 100 100 I-003 100 90 100 90 100 100 100 III-001 90 90 100 100 90 100 100 100 II-004 80 100 100 80 90 100 100 100 IV-001 100 100 80 100 90 90 II-001 90 100 80 90 90 90

As shown by the results, compounds according to the invention such as, for example, the compounds No. I-001, I-003, III-001 and other compounds from table 7 have, when used for pre-emergence treatment, good herbicidal action against harmful plants, In this case, for example, in the pre-emergence process, the compounds No. 1-001, 1-003 and III-001 have very good activity (80% to 100% herbicidal action) against harmful plants such as Alopecurus myosuroides, Amaranthus retroflexus, Avena fatua, Echinochloa crus-galli, Matricaria inodora, Pharbitis purpurea, Polygonum convolvulus, Setaria viridis, Stellaria media, Veronica persica and Viola tricolor at an application rate of 0.32 kg of active substance or less per hectare. At the same time, some compounds according to the invention leave graminaceous crops such as barley, wheat, rye, millet/sorghum, maize, rice or sugarcane virtually undamaged when applied by the pre-emergence method, even at high active compound dosages. Some compounds are additionally also benign to dicotyledonous crops such as soya, cotton, oilseed rape or sugarbeet.

Some of the compounds according to the invention show high selectivity and are therefore suitable for application by the pre-emergence method for control of unwanted plant growth in agricultural crops.

Comparative Tests

The compounds according to the invention were tested by the post-emergence and pre-emergence methods under the conditions described above for comparative purposes with the structurally closest compounds known from WO 2005/089551 A1 (D1). The data in the tables below show a surprisingly higher herbicidal activity of the compounds according to the invention toward a multitude of harmful plants.

TABLE V1 Post-emergence Example Dosage Herbicidal action against No. (g of a.i./ha) ALOMY AVEFA ECHCG LOLMU SETVI ABUTH MATIN POLCO STEME I-001, 80 80 80 90 90 90 90 90 100 90 according to the invention 1.1, from D1 80 0 20 10 0 10 10 10 20 20 I-001, 80 80 80 90 90 90 90 90 100 90 according to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 20 10 10 0 10 10 20 60 60 III-001, 80 70 80 80 70 90 90 80 90 90 according to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 20 10 10 0 10 10 20 60 60

TABLE V2 Post-emergence Example Dosage Herbicidal action against No. (g of a.i./ha) AVEFA ECHCG LOLMU SETVI ABUTH MATIN STEME II-001, 320 50 80 70 80 90 80 90 according to the invention 1.92, from D1 320 20 20 0 60 30 20 60 IV-001, 80 60 70 40 70 80 80 100 according to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 10 10 0 10 10 20 60

TABLE V3 Post-emergence Dosage Herbicidal action against Example No. (g of a.i./ha) ALOMY ECHCG SETVI MATIN I-003, according 80 60 80 60 60 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 20 10 10 20 II-004, according 80 50 40 50 40 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 20 10 10 20

TABLE V4 Pre-emergence Example Dosage Herbicidal action against No. (g of a.i./ha) ALOMY ECHCG SETVI MATIN POLCO STEME VIOTR I-001, according 80 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 to the invention 1.1, from D1 80 20 0 50 40 0 40 70 I-001, according 80 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 30 50 III-001, according 80 100 100 100 100 90 90 100 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 30 50 II-001, according 80 60 80 90 80 20 90 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 50 IV-001, according 80 70 70 90 90 20 90 90 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 30 50 I-003, according 80 60 30 100 90 20 90 100 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 30 50 II-004, according 80 70 30 100 80 50 70 100 to the invention 1.92, from D1 80 30 0 40 0 0 30 50 

1. A compound of formula (I) and/or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein the symbols and indices have the meanings below: X represents a radical from the group X1 to X4:

R¹ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, formyl, vinyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl or (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, R² represents hydrogen, halogen, methyl or methoxy, R³ represents hydrogen, halogen, methyl or methoxy, R⁴ represents halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or (C₃-C₅)-cycloalkyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy or halo-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy, R⁶ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein X represents a radical from the group X1 to X4:

R¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, methoxy or ethoxy, R² represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, R⁴ represents halogen, cyano, halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl or difluoromethoxy, R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, methoxy, ethoxy or halo-(C₁-C₂)-alkoxy, R⁶ represents methyl or ethyl.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein X represents the radical X1:

R¹ represents hydrogen or chlorine, R² represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, methyl or methoxy, R⁴ represents fluorine, chlorine, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethyl, R⁵ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or methyl.
 4. An herbicidal composition or plant growth-regulating composition, comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I) and/or salts thereof according to claim
 1. 5. The herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition according to claim 4, additionally comprising a formulation auxiliary.
 6. The herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition according to claim 4, comprising at least one further active compound selected from the group of insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, safeners and/or growth regulators.
 7. The herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition according to claim 4, comprising a safener.
 8. The herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition according to claim 7, wherein the safener is selected from the group consisting of mefenpyr-diethyl, cyprosulfamide, isoxadifen-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl, benoxacor and dichlormid.
 9. A method of controlling one or more unwanted plants comprising applying an effective amount of at least one compound according claim 1 or of an herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition thereof to the plants and/or to a site of unwanted vegetation.
 10. A product comprising the compound according to claim 1 or of an herbicidal or plant growth-regulating composition thereof for controlling one or more unwanted plants.
 11. The product according to claim 10, wherein the compound is used for controlling one or more unwanted plants in one or more crops of one or more useful plants.
 12. The product according to claim 11, wherein the useful plants are transgenic useful plants. 